03 December 2018
A year-long trial closure of Chasse Brunet to through-traffic will start on Monday 10 December. A barrier gate will be erected in the middle of the lane, just north of Langtry Gardens, so that residents continue to have access and vehicles are able to turn around.
The initiative is part of the Safer Routes to School Programme, which aims to encourage walking and cycling to school.
The parish road is already a popular route for pupils walking and cycling to school, but Connétable of St Saviour, Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, said that walkers and cyclists have to contend with drivers who use the narrow road as a short cut and often don’t give pedestrians the space they need.
Connétable Le Sueur-Rennard, said: “There are nine schools in St Saviour, three in the immediate area of Chasse Brunet: Grainville Secondary, St Saviour’s and FCJ Primary School, all of which may have pupils walking along Chasse Brunet at some time. This trial will determine whether closing the road, and reducing traffic, will make it safer for pedestrians and encourage children to walk to school. That in turn should reduce congestion and improve air quality at school times for the parish.”
The proposal was the most popular option at a well-attended community consultation, and it was approved by the Parish Roads Committee.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said: “The Council of Ministers’ Corporate Strategic Policy includes the priorities of putting children first and improving islanders’ wellbeing and mental and physical health. I believe that this scheme could achieve those, and I am delighted that staff in my department have been able to work with the Connétable and Roads Committee of St Saviour in its development.”
The use of a barrier will enable emergency services, refuse trucks and other necessary vehicles to unlock it when needed.
The evaluation at the end of the trial will assess the safety of the road and whether its closure has encouraged more pupils to walk and cycle.
gov.je