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 |
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Approved by: | Head of Transport, Highways and Infrastructure |
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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
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