St Peters valley cycle and foot path (FOI)

​Request

Please can you kindly provide me with:

A

The business case for the cycle path in St Peters Valley

B

The proposers of the project

C

The selection criteria over other projects at that time

D

The real and accountable cost of the project

E

The expected Island benefits and usage case

F

The exact number of cycling / pedestrian related accidents in St Peters valley over a five year period

Response

A

A formal business case for the St Peter’s Valley path was not completed as the proposals were developed following consideration of a planning application by Granite Products to provide an inert waste recycling facility at La Gigoulande Quarry. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), as the Highway Authority, raised concerns regarding the detrimental impact on road safety which would arise from an increased volume of heavy goods vehicles on St Peter’s Valley. An off road facility for pedestrians and cyclists was considered a suitable mitigation and a sum of £500,000 agreed with the applicant as being a reasonable contribution. This was secured through a Planning Obligation Agreement in 2016. The project is consistent with the States Sustainable Transport Policy which aims to encourage more walking and cycling island wide and is therefore being completed by funding from the Department for Infrastructure Sustainable Transport Infrastructure capital budget.

B

The Department for Infrastructure was the proposer of the scheme.

C

The scheme was selected as it was part funded by a Planning Obligation Agreement, offered the opportunity to substantially expand the Island’s footpath and cycle network in a linked manner and land had been identified as being available.

D 

The estimated cost of the completed St Peter’s Valley path is £1.7m. This is made up of £200k spent on developing the scheme and gaining Planning approval and £1.5m for construction costs, legal fees and land acquisitions. This estimate will be finalised once all outstanding issues with landowners and construction are finalised.

E

The aim of the scheme is to improve road safety for all vulnerable users of St Peter’s Valley whilst improving enhanced pedestrian and cycling opportunities. The completed path will provide a new link between the south and north coast walking and cycling routes and will continue to expand the cycle network across the Island.

F

During the five years preceding the commencement of the project, 2010 to 2014, two serious cyclist injuries were recorded on the States of Jersey Police database. No serious pedestrian accidents were recorded.