ROAD safety concerns, transport and recreational space were among the topics raised by residents of St Saviour as they gathered to interrogate the three candidates bidding to become the next Constable of the parish.
All seats were taken at the parish hall on Wednesday evening as voters took the chance to grill incumbent Constable Kevin Lewis and the two challengers looking to take over the role after next month’s election, Dave Curtis and Suzie Webb.
The parish recreational field near the parish hall was a particular focus, with several questioners citing it as an example of the lack of things to do in St Saviour, particularly for young people.
One parishioner said that the field had not been used since it played host to a Liberation 80 event in 2025.
Mrs Webb said she regretted the fact that the site was behind a padlocked gate.
“There’s so much that could be done with it, it’s a fantastic open space and it’s been used once in a whole year,” she said, saying that removable goalposts would be one feature that would ensure it would be suitable for multiple uses.
Mr Curtis added: “It’s a wide open space that’s doing nothing, and we need to utilise it better. If I get elected, I will definitely look at improving it and providing civic facilities for all ages – young, old, but especially teenagers.”
The saga of the recreational field was described as “a long story” by Mr Lewis, who explained that the field was not under the Constable’s direct control, but was owned by the rectorate.
“What I’m looking to do is to make a separate entrance into the field, so that you don’t have to go through the cemetery; that would be a good start,” he said.
“I want to see more activities in there – I was talking to the head of the local scouts recently, and I said I’d love to see a jamboree in there.”
Several questioners raised the issue of traffic and road safety in relation to the 15 schools in St Saviour, with Wellington Road mentioned as a particular “pinch-point”.
Mr Lewis said: “It is a major, major problem. There are two parking control officers, and they do nothing but focus on school traffic when schools are going in or coming out.”
Mr Curtis said: “We need to look at a traffic plan – not only for that road, but around several schools to get traffic actually moving instead of congestion.
“It’s something that I would look at very strongly if I got in, because traffic movement is a priority, and at the moment we are congested two hours a day where we can hardly move, and it’s frustrating.”
Although she was interrupted several times by the questioner, Mrs Webb said she was acutely aware of the issue as she lived nearby, and questioned why parents could not drop children off on St Saviour’s Road, leaving their son or daughter to walk 100 yards to school.
“Every day I see huge cars, with one parent and one child driving up Wellington Road to drop one child off at one of the schools, and that’s just ridiculous,” she said.
The candidates were asked where they sat on the political spectrum. Mr Curtis said he was firmly in the middle, while Mr Lewis said he was “possibly slightly right of centre” and Mrs Webb said “right of centre”.
There was no mention of the controversy that arose earlier in the campaign, when Mr Lewis used the parish website and email database to announce that he would be seeking re-election and highlighting his achievements in office.
The move resulted in a complaint to the Jersey Electoral Authority, which issued a warning to candidates about their campaign tactics. Mr Lewis subsequently apologised for his action.
St Saviour hustings
What made people giggle?
- A straight answer from Suzie Webb on what to do about drivers consistently flouting the 20mph speed limit in parts of the parish, with Rue des Pres being a particular problem. “If I had the time, I would go down there and arrest them,” she said, drawing applause and laughter (and a point-of-order from Dave Curtis about Constables no longer having that power).
What made people groan?
- The final answer from the incumbent Constable when candidates were asked which one quality they would cite as a reason for people to vote for them. As the clock ticked inexorably towards 9pm, and with his rivals giving one-word answers citing “compassion” (Dave Curtis) and “honesty” (Suzie Webb), Kevin Lewis launched into a waffley, multi-part answer about his achievements.
