TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
ZEBRA CROSSINGS ON COMMERCIAL STREET
Purpose of the Report
To consider a request by the Parish of St Helier to install a zebra crossing at each end of Commercial Street as required under Article 69 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956.
Background
The Parish of St Helier Roads Committee has asked that, following the refurbishment of Commercial Street, consideration be given to installing zebra crossings at each end of Commercial Street.
Discussion
The conditions and character of each end of Commercial Street are very different when assessing the suitability for each of these locations for the installation of a zebra crossing, and have therefore been discussed separately below.
Conway Street
On the approach to Conway Street vehicles are likely to be travelling very slowly to make the sharp left hand turn into Conway Street from Commercial Street. Given these slow speeds pedestrian safety is unlikely to be an issue. However, there are times when pedestrian flows are very high along Conway Street. At these times of high pedestrian flows drivers may find it hard to find occasions when pedestrians are not establishing precedence to use the crossing. Severe delays to vehicles in Commercial Street are highly likely. Currently pedestrians using Conway Street are not subject to much of a delay. If a zebra crossing is to be established in this location then the Parish should monitor the affects of these delays on businesses and business users in Commercial Street, and remove it if there is a negative effect caused by excessive delays to vehicles or business in the area.
The Parish has asked that consideration be given to installing a so called “Jersey” crossing which is a zebra crossing without belisha beacons. This is an appropriate location, especially with the lack of available space on the footpaths for belisha beacons, to install a “Jersey” crossing.
Castle Street
Vehicles are able to turn into Commercial Street from Castle Street from both directions; the north bound opposed right turn and the south bound left turn. Best practice standards and advice when assessing the installation of controlled crossings recommends against locating pedestrian crossings at a location such as this within the turning manoeuvres of vehicles. Were a pedestrian crossing to be introduced at this location there is a high likelihood of pedestrian injury accidents occurring.
Severe delays to vehicles having to give way to pedestrians during busy pedestrian periods are also likely, which could cause tail backs to both Sand Street car park and the Castle Street / Esplanade signalised junction. Pedestrians do not currently have particular difficulties crossing at this location. It is therefore considered that any perceived advantage to pedestrians that a zebra crossing may provide at the western end of Commercial Street is outweighed by the disbenefits.
Conclusion
There is a real risk of pedestrian injury accidents being caused by a zebra crossing being installed at the Castle Street end of Commercial Street which along with the delay caused to vehicular traffic on Castle Street would outweigh any perceived benefit to pedestrians crossing this road.
Installing a zebra crossing at the Conway Street end of Commercial Street is unlikely to be a pedestrian safety risk, although vehicles will have to stop on the zebra crossing to establish whether there is a suitable gap in approaching traffic to be able to turn in to Conway Street. There is however likely to be significant delay to vehicles exiting Commercial Street while waiting for a suitable gap in pedestrian flows. The Parish will need to monitor this delay so that the zebra crossing can be removed if the delay becomes an issue to businesses and commerce in Commercial Street.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the installation of a zebra crossing at the eastern end of Commercial Street at the junction of Conway Street and to request that the Parish monitor the effects.
The Minister is recommended not to approve the installation of a zebra crossing at the western end of Commercial Street at the junction of Castle Street.
Reason(s) for Decision
This decision is required as under Article 69 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956, only the Minister for Transport and Technical Services can approve the installation of a zebra crossing.
Resource Implications
The installation of the zebra crossing on Conway Street can be installed by TTS Road Signs and Markings Section, paid for by the Parish of St Helier.
Action Required
Acting Senior Engineer to write and advise the Parish of the Minister’s decision.
Written by: | Acting Senior Engineer |
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Approved by: | Acting Director Transport |
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