06 December 2023
The Government’s sustainable transport priorities for the next three years, to support a reduction in
Jersey’s pollution and carbon emissions as well as improved road safety, have been laid out by the
Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Tom Binet.
The Sustainable Transport Policy: Next Steps report, which has been published on gov.je/reports,
includes planned infrastructure improvements and behaviour change programmes aimed at
promoting health and wellbeing, and helping the Island improve its carbon emission performance.
The document prioritises six areas: making the roads safer for all of us; reallocating road space to
prioritise cycling and walking; raising the profile of public transport; managing vehicle movement
through parking measures; supporting the Island’s economy; and enabling future transport
mobility and legislative change.
Some of the key commitments include:
- The creation of a Strategic Road Safety Unit and the publication of a road safety strategy
- Creating more accessible, safer, covered waiting areas for bus users
- Identifying opportunities to bring low carbon vehicles into the bus fleet
- Reviewing charges and charging time periods for parking in public car parks
- Working with key stakeholders to support shared mobility transport solutions
The report includes a map of high-level “Strategic Corridors”, where the Government recognises
investment is needed to improve cycling facilities to support those who want to travel by bike
instead of by private vehicle.
It also outlines an ambition to reduce the dominance of vehicles in the centre of St Helier, which
may see commuter parking moved to areas nearer the edge of town.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Tom Binet, said: “We’ve developed priorities to support a
reduction in car use, and we’re committed to reallocating space to better encourage walking and
cycling in Jersey. I know that ensuring our infrastructure is pedestrian-friendly will be utmost in the
team’s mind as they work on existing and new routes.
“It would be naïve to believe that everyone will be able to give up their car, though, and so we need
to find ways of ensuring that remaining ones are able to park without having to visit or pass
through the centre of town.
“I’m also pleased to confirm that work is under way to ensure that evidence-based decisions can be
taken to facilitate the use of e-scooters. This will need the development of appropriate legislation
to ensure their use is safe.
“Road safety, generally, is a community responsibility for our Island and a priority for our team. The
creation of the Strategic Road Safety Unit next year will ensure there is a joined-up approach across
the Island to work together to reduce road risk. We need motorists using our roads to do so
responsibility, a particularly appropriate message as we enter the Christmas season.
“The report I’m publishing today, sets the over-arching framework for our work on sustainable
transport for the next few years, and sets the direction for improvements to both the infrastructure
and the schemes to encourage and facilitate behavioural change. We will now need a delivery plan
and the funding to make this a reality.”
The Sustainable Transport Policy: Next Steps report also includes a series of updated statistics,
showing around 2,000 additional electric vehicles are now registered in Jersey compared to six
years ago. There are 4.7 million passenger journeys a year across Jersey’s bus network. Around a
quarter (24%) of people who live and work in St Helier drive to work.