PLANS for a new “fit for purpose” playground in St Helier have been criticised by nearby residents due to concerns about traffic congestion in a green lane.
Plans were submitted in July to build a new, playground at Mont à l’Abbé School as part of a wider plan to improve facilities for children with special educational needs in Jersey.
It also coincides with the government’s Play Plan, a three-year action plan designed to make Jersey more “play-friendly”.
Funding for the proposed development has come from charitable donations and fundraising events and, Jersey Property Holdings confirmed in response to a query from the St Helier Roads Committee, that parents were consulted as part of the design process.
The playground has been designed for children between four and 11 years old living with disabilities and features apparatus including a wheelchair swing, sensory den, “cosy cocoon”, marine activity centre, cobra swing and road markings with traffic lights to encourage imaginative play.
At present, the playground is only intended for use by the school, however the government is reviewing this and any community use will be controlled through the primary school administration.
The playground would be built on La Pépinière, with vehicle access off La Grande Route de Saint-Jean.
However, the plans are yet to be approved and several property owners in the nearby area have said that scheme could negatively affect road traffic and congestion.
Holly Byrne said that the development would “put considerable pressure” on an area which is already struggling to cope due to “education, childcare, commercial and residential activity”.
Ms Byrne continued: “Substantial facilities already exist at Mont à l’Abbé and Haute Vallée.
“Residents should not be expected to absorb further increases in traffic, activity and development without proper consideration of the cumulative impact on the local highway network and residential amenity.”
She emphasised that her worry was due to the location, not “providing children with suitable recreational facilities”.
Alison Marshall wrote that the application is “another” which does not have “proper traffic, road and safety assessment” prepared ahead of submission.
Stressing that the district of St Helier North is “not against thoughtful development”, she went on to say that it is an area of the Island with little green space left and the development would have a “negative impact on an important green lane”.
Ms Marshall added that St Helier North’s roads and pavements are “already beyond capacity”.
Estelle Martinson expressed concerns about congestion the development could create on Highview Lane, a “narrow, green lane and cul-de-sac” which is used regularly by residents.
“The introduction of regular school traffic, particularly at peak drop-off and collection times, would significantly compromise this safety and the ability of residents to use the lane without obstruction or risk,” she said.
“Highview Lane is fundamentally unsuitable for the volume, frequency and nature of traffic that would arise from permanent school drop-off and collection.
“Vehicles would have nowhere to go other than to turn around in the lane, increasing congestion, reducing visibility, and obstructing the free and safe movement of pedestrians and other vulnerable users.”
Significant diversions have already been sporadically in place in the area due to the Northern Sewer Network upgrades – primarily affecting La Route de Saint Jean.
Starting last November, those works are due to continue until June 2027.
