Hill Street, St. Helier: Pilot contra-flow cycle lane

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 11 June 2021:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2021-0016
Decision Summary Title	Pilot contra-flow cycle route, Hill Street		Date of Decision Summary:	04 June 2021
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Engineer Transport		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Pilot contra-flow cycle route, Hill Street		Date of Written Report:	04 June 2021
Written Report Author:	Assistant Engineer Transport		Written Report: Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Pilot of a contra-flow cycle lane on Hill Street as per the STP - Strong Start.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following on Hill Street: Amended traffic signals at the junction of Halkett Place and Hill Street to include an all green pedestrian phase Mandatory contra-flow cycle lane from the junction of Hill Street with Halkett Place to its junction with La Motte Street for a period of 1 year under an Article 68 Notice A section of advisory cycle land adjacent to the existing unloading bay Removal of the existing on-street parking on Hill Street Repositioning of the existing Snow Hill bus stop (3729) Placing of Jislon (or similar) pole cones to provide a physical barrier between cyclists and motorised vehicles
Reason(s) for Decision: To provide safer town centre cycling facilities as part of the STP.
Resource Implications: IHE officer time and £35,000 from the STP funding.
Action required: Officers to carry out detailed design of traffic light adjustments, bollard placing, bus stop re-location and road markings
Signature:		Position: Minister for Infrastructure
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Hill Street, St. Helier: Pilot contra-flow cycle lane

INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

TOWN CENTRE CYCLE FACILITIES – HILL STREET, ST HELIER

Purpose of the Report

To request the Minister to approve the pilot of a contra-flow cycle lane on Hill Street between Halkett Place and La Motte Street. The improvements include:

Amended traffic signals at the junction of Halkett Place and Hill Street to include an all green pedestrian phase
Mandatory contra-flow cycle lane from the junction of Hill Street with Halkett Place to its junction with La Motte Street for a trial period of 1 year
A section of advisory cycle land adjacent to the existing unloading bay
Removal of the existing on-street parking on Hill Street
Repositioning of the existing Snow Hill bus stop (3729)
Placing of Jislon (or similar) pole cones to provide a physical barrier between cyclists and motorised vehicles

Background

The STP (P.128/2019) was adopted by the States Assembly in March 2020 and is divided into two parts, ‘A Framework for a Sustainable Transport System 2020-2030’ and ‘Sustainable Transport Strong Start Delivery Plan 2020’.

The Strong Start Delivery Plan identifies that we will continue work on the Eastern Cycle Network with a view to prioritising safer cycle access to schools. At present it is difficult to cycle across the town from west to east. This is caused by the number of one-way routes in St Helier which are designed to make access via car difficult. Through providing a safe segregated cycle route there is the potential to make cycling a more attractive and direct option for getting around the town and in particular accessing the schools to St Saviour in the east.

Discussion

The implementation of a contraflow cycle lane on Hill Street will provide cyclists with a more direct route to travel eastbound through town.

In order to achieve the required road space to install the contraflow cycle lane, it will be necessary to remove on-street parking on Hill Street. The existing on-street parking includes a mixture of paycard and unloading bays. Overall this will result in the loss of eight paycard parking spaces and two unloading bay spaces (adjacent to Morier House). A new unloading bay will be installed in Halkett Place. There are two unloading bay spaces opposite the bus stop at the eastern end of Hill Street that will remain as part of the scheme.

At present buses stop on the carriageway next to the bus stop to allow passengers to alight at the Snow Hill bus stop. There is sufficient carriageway space for vehicles to be able to overtake the stationary bus. Under the new proposals, buses will still stop in the carriageway to allow passengers to alight, but the introduction of the contraflow cycle lane will mean that vehicles following the buses will be required to wait until this has been completed. This is the last stop before Liberation Station and the majority of users are alighting here rather than boarding.

There will be an advanced cycle lane added at the Halkett Place junction and new components installed in the traffic signals to provide cyclists with a left turn phase from Halkett Place to Hill Street. This will increase the number of stages in the signal plan from three to four and will also introduce an all-red phase for vehicles to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

Plastic bollards will be installed between the carriageway and contraflow cycle lane in order to ensure that cyclists are segregated from vehicular traffic. There will be adequate spacing in these bollards to provide access to the unloading bay.

The proposals have been out to public consultation. Letters to businesses on Hill Street and residents were sent out via Jersey Post and scheme posters were on site next to the bus stop. Officers and the Town Centre Manager also visited the businesses. The consultation was online due to COVID protocols and was live on the gov.je website for four weeks from 23rd November. The scheme has been presented to Cycle 4 Jersey who were supportive of it.

There were 258 responses to the on-line consultation and eight directly to the Department. 63% of responses were made by either cyclists or pedestrians. The main outcomes were:

54% said the scheme would encourage them to walk or cycle in Hill Street
65% would feel safer doing so
62% felt that the scheme would go some way towards helping the well-being of Islanders
68% felt that it was a step in the right direction to encourage more active travel
59% would like to see the scheme become permanent whilst 24% would not.

The scheme aligns with the States Assembly’s Common Strategic Policy through:

‘Putting children first’ - by providing a safer cycling route to school and encouraging more children to cycle to school,
‘Improving Islanders’ - wellbeing and mental and physical health’ by encouraging islanders to travel actively and meet the recommended levels of physical activity; and
‘Protecting and valuing our environment’ - by providing more direct, accessible routes, this makes cycling more appealing and will encourage a modal shift from cars and contribute lower greenhouse gas emissions from road transport.

The scheme aligns with the decision-making principles for a sustainable transport system outlined in the STP through the following:

Encouraging alternative means of transport to the motor vehicle by providing segregated and dedicated infrastructure for bicycles
Conform with the Jersey mobility hierarchy by reallocating road space away from motor vehicles to vulnerable road users
Making walking and cycling more attractive, especially for travelling to school and commuting, by providing safer routes

Conclusion

The scheme will provide cyclists with a more direct, accessible route to travel eastbound through town. The anticipated impact on traffic using Hill Street is minimal, some additional queuing could be introduced at peak times, but this is anticipated to be localised and would not represent an increase in the overall amount of delay experienced by traffic.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister approves the pilot scheme for a contra-flow cycle lane on Hill Street between Halkett Place and La Motte Street for a one year pilot scheme. This will allow for a considered assessment of the impact of the scheme. If the trial is successful, a permanent scheme will be introduced in line with the decision making principles of the STP.

Reason(s) for Decision

To deliver the objectives of the STP.

Resource Implications

The anticipated cost of the trial implementation is £35,000 which is to be funded as part of the Sustainable Transport Policy’s Strong Start Delivery Plan 2020.

Action Required

Officers to carry out detailed design work to be finalised, publication of an Article 68 notice and scheme implemented by Government of Jersey’s Road Signs and Marking Department.

Written by:	Assistant Engineer - Transport

Approved by:	Head of Transport, Highways and Infrastructure

Attachments:	Hill Street Signage HST-1200-001 C2 - Road Markings and GA Hill Street - Consultation report

I:\Minister\2021\Ministerial Decisions\MD 0016 Hill Street Pilot Contra Flow Cycle Route\WR Hill Street Pilot Contra Flow Cycle Route.docx