Government of Jersey

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demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
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A decision made on 14 July 2010 regarding Sustainable Transport Policy - Report and Proposition

Decision Reference: MD-T-2010-0066
Decision Summary Title :	Sustainable Transport Policy - Report and Proposition		Date of Decision Summary:	02 July 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Manager – Transport Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Report and Proposition - Sustainable Transport Policy		Date of Written Report:	02 July 2010
Written Report Author:	Manager – Transport Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Sustainable Transport Policy – Report and Proposition
Decision(s): The Minister approved the attached draft report and proposition, having previously approved the draft document `Sustainable Transport Policy’ dated 02 July 2010 (Ministerial Decision MD-T-2010-0066) and requested the Chief Officer to arrange for the report, proposition and accompanying policy document to be lodged Au Greffe on 19 July (publication of policy document to be embargoed until 19 July 2010).
Reason(s) for Decision: The States Strategic Plan (priority 13) requires the Minister for Transport and Technical Services to present a sustainable transport policy for Jersey to the States for debate and subsequent implementation.
Resource Implications: Some proposals within the policy will be carried out within various States Department’s resources, but the majority are dependent on the ongoing commitment from the States to provide £500,000 per annum, which is a quarter of the estimated £2 million per annum to be raised from Vehicle Emissions Duty commencing in September this year.
Action required: Chief Officer to request the Greffier to arrange for the report and proposition to be lodged `Au Greffe’ on 19 July 2010.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Sustainable Transport Policy - Report and Proposition

DRAFT

PROPOSITION

The States are asked to decide whether they are of opinion –

to receive Jersey’s Sustainable Transport Policy dated 2nd July 2010 as prepared by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services and -

a) to agree that the measures described in the Policy to reduce the Island’s reliance on the private car and to encourage walking, cycling and public transport should be applied by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services;

b) to approve the objective of reducing peak hour traffic flows into St Helier by 15% by 2015 and to request the Minister to apply appropriate measures as set out in the Policy to achieve this objective;

c) to request the Minister, in conjunction with the Minister for Home Affairs and the Honorary Police with regard to enforcement, to apply appropriate measures as set out in the Policy to re-establish a reducing trend in road injury rates and to agree a ‘vision zero’ target of no deaths or serious injuries on Jersey’s roads;

d) to agree that the Minister applies appropriate measures as set out in the Policy to encourage the use of low emission vehicles;

e) to request the Minister to undertake appropriate monitoring of the impact and effectiveness of the Policy and to publish the results annually.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services

Note: The policy referred to in this report is published separately
REPORT

JERSEY’S SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT POLICY

Introduction

The States, through the Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014, have committed to persuade people out of their cars by providing practical alternatives such as improved bus services, cycle tracks and footpaths. It also requires the Minister for Transport and Technical Services to present to the States a sustainable transport policy for debate, including targets, policies and timescales that reflect best practice globally, and proposals for monitoring and publishing them.

Discussion

The policy now presented for member’s endorsement, has been formulated following extensive consultation with the public, businesses, the Parishes and other States Departments. Research has been undertaken into the potential for people to change their travel habits, a comprehensive review of the bus service has been carried out and Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity has been employed to advise on best practice in the UK and internationally.

The common principles of sustainable transport policy throughout the western world are to encourage more walking, cycling and public transport as well as the use of less polluting vehicles and to discourage private car use. The Strategic Plan provides a commitment to embrace these principles and there are many good reasons for doing so as explained in the policy document. The Minister for Transport and Technical Services believes that the attached policy is appropriate, realistic and representative of the public’s views.

This policy does not propose radical solutions such as congestion charging, tram systems or taxes on private parking. It does however propose an evolution that will give more priority to pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport.

Jersey has in recent decades accommodated the growing use of the motor car by providing more car parks and more roads, but with increasing population and car ownership the time has come to redress the balance.

Conclusion

The policy fulfils the requirements of the States Strategic Plan. It proposes to encourage less car use at all times with a specific 15% reduction in traffic levels at peak times and our research suggests that this should be achievable within 5 years. It should be emphasized however that this policy will establish a long term strategy to protect and improve the quality of life in Jersey for future generations.

Financial and manpower Implications

Some proposals within the policy will be carried out within various States Department’s resources, but the majority are dependent on the ongoing commitment from the States to provide £500,000 per annum, which is a quarter of the estimated £2 million per annum to be raised from vehicle emissions duty commencing in September this year. Proposals have been mindful of that level of funding and are considered adequate to meet the targets of the policy.

There are no additional man power implications other than a part time contract appointment for a period of up to 5 years for a travel plan coordinator at schools and States Departments.