Government of Jersey

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

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
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (23/07/2008) regarding: Bus Service - St. Helier Drop-Off Location.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2008-0067
Decision Summary Title :	Bus Service – St Helier Drop-Off Location		Date of Decision Summary:	16 July 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Caroline Anderson Director of Transport		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Bus Service – St Helier Drop-Off Location		Date of Written Report:	16 July 2008
Written Report Author:	Caroline Anderson Director of Transport		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Proposal to change the current town centre drop-off location from Library Place to Broad Street for inbound buses from the west of the Island.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the proposal for buses to use the Broad Street stop to drop inbound passengers in place of Library Place with effect from 28 July 2008 under Article 18 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935.
Reason(s) for Decision: This proposal will ease traffic congestion around the Library Place / Hill Street loop and also allow the bus service to run more efficiently and effectively.
Resource Implications: None
Action Required: Prepare a media release to advise the public of this change in routing. Request Connex to place notices in all the buses and also for drivers to advise passengers where the Liberation Station stop is. Advertise the change with other proposals to the winter schedule 2008/9 to allow for comments on this trial.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Bus Service - St. Helier Drop-Off Location.

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

BUSES – ST HELIER DROP-OFF LOCATION

Purpose of the Report

To seek the Minister’s approval to change the current town centre drop-off location from Library Place to Broad Street.

Background

Connex bus drivers have, for some time, been commenting that incoming buses from the east dropping passengers at Library Place are getting caught in traffic around the Library Place / Hill Street loop before returning to Liberation Station. This delays the service and can have knock-on effects for following services or for the time drivers can take for a break.

Furthermore, the Library Place stop does not allow traffic following the bus to pass it when it is off-loading which can easily block traffic behind.

It has been proposed that buses can drop-off passengers at the Broad Street stop outside the Post Office and return to Liberation Station via Castle Street and the Esplanade or head straight for the canteen facilities at Albert Pier.

Comments

It is imperative that inbound buses retain a drop-off point as close as possible to the central area. Buses from the east of the Island use Grenville Street, Snow Hill and Hill Street whilst those from the west have, for some years, used the Library Place / Hill Street loop. Additional traffic calming and pedestrian facilities in this area have slowed traffic and this has created delays in buses using this route. Using the bus stop outside the Post Office on Broad Street will be a shorter routing whilst allowing passengers to disembark close to the centre of the town.

As buses can pull into the stop on Broad Street, traffic can pass the bus whilst it is unloading which will ease the traffic queues. Furthermore, it is likely to ease congestion through Hill Street.

As the bus will be unable to drop off back at Liberation Station, as the buses need to approach from the west to utilise the outside bus stands, the bus stop on the north of the Esplanade on the zebra crossing heading into Conway Street will be used as the Liberation Station stop. Passengers will need to be advised that this is the last stop before Broad Street but drivers do not see this as a major issue.

Occasionally, some passengers (particularly those less able to walk) do take advantage of a free ride from Library Place to Liberation Station to then change buses to their destination. Although not frequent, Connex and TTS would wish to maintain this option and will evaluate whether it is possible to site a bus stop close to the lights in Castle Street where it joins The Esplanade. This will then allow passengers to cross the road to Liberation Station.

It would also be advantageous for the stop at Broad Street to accommodate two buses and this proposal will be assessed. The unloading bay and disabled parking will need to be retained but it may be possible to allow an inbound and outbound stop so that passengers wanting to catch the westbound buses heading out of town will not get confused with those buses heading back to Liberation Station or the Albert Pier facilities.

This proposal will ease congestion in the central town area and allow the bus service to run more efficiently and effectively whilst retaining a town centre stop. It is proposed that this change be effective from 28 July 2008.

Although this may not be considered as a change in the licence conditions of the bus service, it is recommended that this proposal is undertaken as a trial under Article 18 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 and then advertised as part of the winter timetable amendments so that the public may comment on the effect of this change.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the proposal for buses to use the Broad Street stop to drop inbound passengers instead of Library Place with effect from 28 July 2008 under Article 18 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935.

Reasons for Recommendations

This proposal will ease traffic congestion around the Library Place / Hill Street loop and also allow the bus service to run more efficiently and effectively.

Actions Required

Prepare a media release to advise the public of this change in routing.
Request Connex to place notices in all the buses and also for drivers to advise passengers where the Liberation Station stop is.
Advertise the change with other proposals to the winter schedule 2008/9 to allow for comments on this trial.

Resource Implications

None.

Written by:	Caroline Anderson

Approved by:	John Richardson