Parishioners’ questions spark meeting over northern sewer network project

PARISHIONERS facing disruption from works taking place along La Grande Route de St Jean have prompted the St Helier Constable to arrange a meeting where they can raise questions with the officials involved in the project.

Inna Gardiner told the JEP that the meeting, which will take place this evening from 4pm to 6pm at Haute Vallée School, followed conversations with some of her constituents about the government’s efforts to deliver northern sewer network upgrades.

Several St Helier politicians, as well as representatives from the Infrastructure Department, are among those due to attend.

The works, which began in November, are currently scheduled to be completed by June 2027.

Mrs Gardiner, who described the project as an “essential investment in Jersey infrastructure”, explained that she organised the meeting after parishioners highlighted a desire to be kept informed with “more engaging” updates.

“People have now lived for months with disruption and they have questions and some suggestions based on this experience,” she said.

“There were online updates, to be honest, and they were helpful. There are some roads arrangements rethought and done a bit differently, and it was an update. But I think that people also need an opportunity to know what is happening in their neighbourhood and ask follow-up questions.

“So basically, as Constable, my role is to bring all relevant teams together and help parishioners to get clear answers.”

In an update last week, the government stated that progress was being made on multiple phases of the project, which has already seen more than 1,000 metres of new sewer pipe installed.

It cited a variety of reasons why the upgrades had taken longer “in some places”, including crews finding hard rock underground, as well as having to work around existing utility services “including a high-voltage Jersey Electricity cable”.

In another area, work was delayed due to an existing Jersey Water pipe in the route of the new sewer.

Mrs Gardiner said she hoped the meeting, which will include presentations as well as a chance to ask questions, would achieve two things.

“First, that parishioners will get the fullest, most updated picture we can get,” she explained. “The second is to keep this channel open.”

The St Helier Constable also noted that she “did not need to push” to get the Infrastructure representatives involved in the meeting.

Those who would like to send questions in advance of the meeting can do so by emailing community@sthelier.je.