St. Helier Footstreets

"Des C'mins à pid pouor St. Hélyi"

In June 1998, the Jersey Pedestrians Association put forward a plan for pedestrian priority for the centre of St. Helier entitled "St. Helier Footstreets".

The plan is designed to fulfil the stated aim of Public Services' transport policy document of "recognised, safe routes" and "pedestrian priority areas" and provide input into the revision process of the policy document.

The concept is inspired by the successful Footstreets concept pioneered by the city of York in England, and the wish expressed in the recent Centre Ville survey for a better walking environment in St. Helier, as well as fitting in with existing provision in the Island Plan for a central cordon area.

The objective is to promote walking, promote St. Helier as a place to visit, shop and work and promote access and permeability for transport.

The St. Helier Footstreets concept consists of two parts: priority walking routes linking the Ring Road to the centre of town, and a compact central pedestrian priority zone marked by "gateways".

Four major walking routes have been identified:

Cheapside - Parade - York Street
Midvale Road/Val Plaisant - New Street
Midvale Road/Val Plaisant - David Place - Bath Street
Colomberie - Snow Hill

In order to implement a transport hierarchy along these major walking routes, it is proposed that each junction should have pedestrian priority implemented, whether through installation of crossing facilities or enforcement of existing pedestrian priority. Initially, a simple paint job should suffice to mark out these pedestrian priority routes. Experience and feedback would then dictate how these routes would be made permanent.

The priority routes lead directly, easily and safely to the proposed central Footstreets zone bounded by Burrard Street - Minden Place -Bath Street - Snow Hill - Hill Street - Mulcaster Street - Esplanade - Conway Street - Broad Street - King Street - New Street.

These streets, and the streets within this boundary, would be designated as pedestrian priority with a low vehicular speed limit. The aim would be to provide maximum access for pedestrians while avoiding the creation of a "pedestrian ghetto". The reclamation of road space would mean that demand for increased al fresco areas could be met and consideration could be given to pavement displays for shops. Increased seating should be provided throughout the Footstreets area. Footstreets would provide a boost for town traders and shoppers and for tourism, without precluding vehicular access - but the point would be made: pedestrians come first.

Vehicular access to the Footstreets would be "pinched" at access points:

New Street/Burrard Street junction
Minden Place/Bath Street junction
Charles Street/Bath Street junction
Snow Hill
Pier Road/Mulcaster Street junction
Esplanade/Conway Street junction
Commercial Street/Conway Street junction

The compact Footstreets zone has been designed for simplicity so that a minimum number of entry points would be required to the central zone - to avoid confusion and ease signing and engineering works.

Perhaps some sort of floral/heritage gateway in the form of an arch might be a good way to impress upon the occupants of vehicles that they are entering pedestrian priority space.

Footstreets should be seen as part of integrated transport:

public transport should have access throughout the pedestrian priority zone to encourage cars to be left elsewhere;
cycle routes should harmonize with the Footstreets;
and it will be noted that the Footstreets area conveniently ties in with car parks at Sand Street, Minden Street and Pier Road, providing pedestrian pavement access directly from parked vehicles into the pedestrian priority area.

As an aside, perhaps consideration could be given to opening the upper end of Bath Street to a minibus service, should this materialize. This would increase permeability between pedestrian and public transport.

The Footstreets concept is designed to counter the effect of "pedestrian dump" experienced in the existing precinct, whereby a high volume pedestrian facility dumps large numbers of pedestrians into walking-unfriendly areas. The Footstreets will encourage circulation throughout the central town area and spread the commercial and social benefits of walking more widely.

The Footstreets concept has been supported by Centre Ville, the Parish of St. Helier and received favourable comment in the media:

"It would doubtless be foolish for us to put all our tourist eggs in one basket, but it is clear that marketing initiatives which appeal to those with special interests - often with an ecological bias - are capable of paying dividends. With this in mind, it would seem reasonable to look closely at the recommendations of another body with excellent green credentials, the Jersey Pedestrian Association. For the benefit of Islanders in general but also for our visitors, the JPA would like to see more pedestrianised areas in St Helier. 'Footstreets', as the areas would be called, would not exclude motor vehicles entirely. However, as in the case of green lanes, pedestrians would have priority."

Jersey Evening Post 22/6/1998

To conclude, a few highlighted benefits of the Footstreets concept:

By gradually moving to pedestrianization without creating conflict between drivers, town traders, shoppers and other pedestrians, greater acceptance of high-quality walking facilities is achieved;

Direct walking routes through both markets;

Through reclamation of roadspace for commercial activities, town traders implement their own traffic calming;

The Footstreets would be a major tourist asset for St. Helier and the Island.