19 May 2020
The Government of Jersey and Parish of St Helier have agreed to the temporary closure of Broad Street to motor traffic so that pedestrians are able to have additional space to physically distance when visiting town.
From Saturday, 23 May, until further notice, vehicles will not be able to turn left by Lloyds Bank or use the road to the Town Hall, although delivery vehicles will still be able to use Broad Street until 11am.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said: “As shops reopen, the number of people visiting town is expected to increase, and closing Broad Street will give Islanders greater confidence that they will have enough space to maintain physical distancing as they walk and shop, even if there are increased queues in King Street. It will also make it easier for Islanders to walk to work and could provide a site for al fresco dining in the near future.
“I am grateful to the parish for their support. This is a move designed to support the economy and, while there may be a little disruption, I hope that the businesses and individuals who are affected understand and accept the benefits.
“After the initiative has bedded in, we will be assessing its impact and considering how it might be extended to further support the economy and environment, if doing so would be in line with public health guidance.”
In a letter, Broad Street businesses and residents are being advised that road users will be affected in the following way:
- Delivery vehicles will be permitted between 7am and 11am. Businesses are asked to rearrange their deliveries to fit those times bearing in mind that rearranging deliveries to early-morning (before 8am), when there are fewer pedestrians, will help reduce risk for delivery drivers and pedestrians.
- The disabled parking bays outside of the Blue Note Bar will be suspended, and will be replaced with other bays, in addition to the existing Sand Street Car Park, Library Place and New Street spaces. If anyone has mobility issues with accessing the area, the Shopmobility team in Sand Street Car Park are on stand-by to help.
- Cyclists will still be permitted to use Broad Street in the expectation that they will be considerate and understand that pedestrians have priority. Keeping Broad Street open for cycling will encourage it to be used as an alternative to public transport, which is operating at reduced capacity to assist with physical distancing.
- Outbound bus routes 5 and 19 currently turn on to Broad Street and stop outside the Government offices. Both will still depart from Liberation Station, from where passengers should now catch the bus, but their routes will change from Saturday 23 May. Advice will be published on the Liberty Bus website and on gov.je
- Drivers will be able to follow signage for alternative routes and, at the start of the initiative, Honorary Police help to manage traffic and advise motorists.
gov.je