Road safety improvements in St Brelade

2026.03.24

3.1   Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding road safety improvement

works planned in St. Brelade (OQ.46/2026):

Will the Minister advise what road safety improvement works are planned in St. Brelade over the next 2-year period, including any works under consideration on La Route de la Baie and in the area of La Moye?

Connétable A.N. Jehan of St. John (The Minister for Infrastructure):

I thank the Deputy for his question. Clearly I can only comment on roads under our administration and not the Parish by-roads. In recent years, route reviews have been undertaken on both La Route de Noirmont and Route de la Baie to assess road safety issues, consider possible regulatory changes and identify opportunities to support active travel. A range of outlined scheme options have been developed for these routes. Their progression over the next 2 years will depend on the availability of funding and their prioritisation alongside other Island-wide schemes, including those linked to the Safer Routes to Schools programme. Within St. Brelade , 2 specific locations currently fall within this programme. Firstly, proposals for an improved school crossing on Route des Quennevais, and footpath and crossing improvements on Rue de la Sergente, the latter being subject of the acquisition of adjacent land. Should funding and prioritisation allow, the department intends to bring forward the most feasible of these options within the next 2-year period.

1. Deputy M. Tadier :

I know there were separate parts to this question, so the Minister may need to provide additional information later, but when it comes to La Route de la Baie - so St. Brelade 's Bay in other words - there have been repeated calls for improvements for pedestrian crossings and perhaps for practical slowing down of traffic there. I am mindful that the officers from the Minister's department did do a walkabout with the representatives for the area. Can he advise us how close we are to implementing some of those changes specifically in that area, which is also an important area for tourists?

The Connétable of St. John :

My understanding is that La Route de la Baie is currently planned for resurfacing in 2032. The department carried out vehicle and pedestrian surveys in the Bay in 2023, showing good speed compliance. As I mentioned earlier, it will require funding to be available and be in the priorities.

2. Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade :

The Minister mentioned Rue de la Sergente, which he knows I have a considerable interest in. Is he able to provide any update on progress that his officers may have made in relation to that route crossing, both in terms of the pedestrian crossing and in terms of the road improvements on that road?

The Connétable of St. John :

I believe we are making some progress - small progress - with a small parcel of land, but I think the Deputy is well aware of the area that will unblock this scheme. I believe we are still waiting to hear back from the owner of the land.

The Deputy Bailiff : Connétable of St. Brelade . Deputy J. Renouf :

Do I get a supplementary? The Deputy Bailiff : Supplementary, yes.

3. Deputy J. Renouf :

The Minister mentioned the Safer Routes to Schools, and that this is on the Safer Routes to Schools. Would he indicate whether he has given instructions to his officers that this is therefore a priority project for them?

The Connétable of St. John :

It is one of many priorities, and only yesterday I met with a parishioner of St. Saviour to talk about safe routes to school in that area.

[9:45]

I have offered to meet with the landowner, and I am still waiting to hear back. I have offered to meet the landowner for over 12 months.

4. Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade :

I am picking up, the Minister mentioned the acquisition of a land parcel on Rue de la Sergente. This has been going on for a significant number of years, and would the Minister confirm that he will progress this matter without further delay?

The Connétable of St. John :

I cannot give that commitment. I am a matter of days away from finishing as Minister for Infrastructure, so it will be up to my successor. I am fully aware of the challenges there. I have made a site visit on more than one occasion. We really need to encourage the landowner to help us with this. I know that some representatives have met with the landowner and have not been well-received particularly. My door is open, but I cannot make a long-term commitment.

The Connétable of St. Brelade :

I thank the Minister for that response.

5. Deputy M. Tadier :

While we know the Minister may not always be in this position, the officers were there before he took office and they will be there after he leaves office. Would the Minister consider instructing his officers or asking them whether there is a plan B for the area in la Sergente on to Le Feugerel so that actually if there is not a willing selling and a timely selling of the land that the department needs, that it could either be compulsorily purchased but actually a more likely route might be a solution that does not require any purchase of private land to seek alternative road carving measures. Is that something the Minister can give an undertaking to do before he leaves office?

The Connétable of St. John :

I am very confident that the department will continue to do their very best in this area. Of course, they were dealing with this problem and many other problems long before I arrived as Minister, and I will take this opportunity to pay tribute to the transport team in Infrastructure, who do a fantastic job with limited resources, and they have many competing priorities.