INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT
Amendment to Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Jersey) Order 2003
Parish of ST saVIOUR Speed Limit Review
Purpose of the Report
To obtain ‘Ministerial Decision’ approval for the Parish’s requested speed limit changes following technical review by IHE Officers (based on the Jersey Road Safety Action Plan 2017–2019 speed limit policy framework) and subsequent public consultation.
Accordingly, to approve preparation of an amending Order to the Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Jersey) Order 2003.
Background
The Road Safety Action Plan 2017-19 sets a target to review speed limits island wide. The Action Plan also sets out a framework (see attachment) for setting appropriate speed limits to achieve island-wide consistency.
In March 2017 the Minister and Officers met with the Comité de Connétable and agreed a process changes would be made to each Parish’s speed limits on a parish by parish basis following each parish review.
St Saviours have completed their review; this has been assessed as deliverable and compliant with the framework set out in the Road Safety Action Plan, or where there is a variance deemed appropriate (as set out below). St Saviour have held public consultation and the Roads Committee have approved the proposals based on that consultation feedback.
St Saviour have now requested that the changes consulted upon are implemented.
Proposed Changes – Variance to Framework
All of the changes outlined in the attached schedule of speed limit changes are in line with the speed limit review framework with the exception of the following:
Rue St Thomas
The current speed limit is 40mph. In line with the framework, a 30mph speed limit was negotiated between IHE officers and the Roads Committee, however throughout those discussions the Committee argued in favour of a 20mph speed limit.
Rue St Thomas has a higher than average percentage of speeding vehicles when compared to surveys on other roads, and a higher percentage of vehicles travelling in excess of 50mph. Speeds above 70mph are recorded, albeit by a small number of vehicles, in the middle of the day. Most speed surveys in Jersey record very few vehicles over 50mph, and usually this is only late at night.
The Parish is considering a scheme to introduce road humps in Rue St Thomas, however there is no street lighting, and consequently the Law does not permit the introduction of road humps. Following a recent collision, and in consultation with residents the Roads Committee has requested that the speed limit is reduced to 20mph so that the parish can progress with the road hump scheme.
The speed limit framework makes provision for lower speed limits to be introduced for road safety reasons, and this request is considered to be reasonable on those grounds.
Grands Vaux
Grands Vaux is subject to a 20mph speed limit north of its junction with Langley Park. The Parish wish to introduce a zebra crossing to the south of the junction as part of a Safe Routes to School scheme to encourage students from the area to walk to Grainville School. The crossing would be to the south of the junction.
Placing the zebra crossing on a road hump would make it more accessible to people with pushchairs and wheelchairs, due to the narrow pavements. The Parish have requested a short extension to the existing 20mph speed limit to facilitate this and to include the crossing within the 20mph speed limit.
This request is considered to be reasonable.
La Greve D’Azette
A short length of La Greve d’Azette between Havre Des Pas Roundabout and the St Clement Parish Boundary (at Beach Road) is proposed to be reduced to 20mph. This is an extension of the proposed Havre des Pas 20mph speed limit within the Parish of St Helier. Due to the high number of pedestrians crossing between Beach Road and La Montee du Dicq slipway, this is considered to be appropriate under the Tourist Bay 20mph speed limit policy.
There are no proposals within the St Helier and St Clement speed limit reviews to implement a 20mph speed limit on the adjacent sections of St Clement Road or Greve D’Azette. The results of the St Helier consultation have not yet been published. The St Clement consultation has not yet taken place.
Resource Requirements
Initially Officer and Principal Legislative Drafter Time and subsequently the cost and resources required to install new speed limit road signage on main roads. Sign changes on by-roads to be funded by the Parish.
Recommendation
The Minister is requested to approve the Parish’s requested speed limit changes and preparation of an amending Order to the Road Traffic (Speed Limits) (Jersey) Order 2003.
Reason(s) for Decision
Following technical review by IHE Officers (based on the Jersey Road Safety Action Plan 2017–2019 speed limit policy framework) and subsequent public consultation the requested speed limit changes are appropriate.
Action Required
Officers to forward a copy of the Ministerial Decision along with an Instructing Memorandum to the Principal Legislative Drafter to prepare an Amending Order for subsequent submission to the Minister.
Written by: | Interim Road Safety Engineer, Infrastructure, Housing and Environment |
| |
Approved by: | Principal Engineer Network Management – Transport Section (Operations & Transport) |
| |
Attachment: | Schedule of Speed Limit Changes Speed limit framework |