Jersey roadworks are 'killing part of town'

Businesses near the bottom of Trinity Hill say roadworks are costing them money

Roadworks on Trinity Road in Jersey have "killed" traders in north St Helier, a business owner has said.

The road works started on 5 August and drivers have had to take detours to access some businesses.

Thomas Howell, who owns the Prime Fry fish and chips shop, said his turnover had dropped by 60% and he had decided to close for next two weeks until the works were finished. Residents on nearby La Vallee Des Vaux also said the works had exacerbated speeding and traffic issues as cars were being redirected down their road instead.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan apologised for the inconvenience but said the works were essential.

Mr Howell said the road works have put a huge financial strain on his business.

"We only work on small margins. We are a very small company, so for our turnover to drop by 60% is huge, it's huge.

"It doesn't make physical sense to stay open, to pay overheads, so we've decided to close till the road closures end.

"I've spoken to my neighbours, the Chinese takeaway and the launderette, they have said the same. This week and last week were diabolical.

"It's killed this part of town, it's killed us."

Mr Howell added that the roadworks meant people had to take long detours to come to his shop.

"Most people are just not willing to take that kind of detour. We have a very loyal customer base, but people are just cheesed off," he said.

Traffic often builds up on narrow parts of La Vallee Des Vaux

Residents on La Vallee des Vaux say traffic being redirected down their road is exacerbating existing traffic and speeding issues.

The road is a green lane with a 15mph speed limit and cars sometimes struggle on narrow parts of the road.

Resident Anthony Allchurch said he often helped guide cars that struggled to pass each other outside his house.

A stone slab on his driveway was recently damaged by a car that was driving past, he added.

Mr Allchurch said: "We are seeing more people, and people diverted from where they want to go, which often means taking longer... and so they become upset.

"Their irritation is exacerbated when they find this road is not a clear way through."

Another resident, Colin Lever, said the volume of traffic along the valley "has increased dramatically".

He added: "It's the speed the traffic is travelling. Because this is a green lane... the rules say it should be 15mph, and I would suggest the majority of drivers are not doing 15mph."

Anthony Allchurch observes damage to his driveway caused by a passing car, he says traffic and speeding issues on the road have got worse since roadworks started

Minister Andy Jehan said: "We are trying to do the works as quickly as possible. They were delayed because of the issues in Rogue Bouillion.

"It's essential work for drainage and we've really got to crack on and do these works, and the team have worked over the weekend to try and shorten the period of disruption."

Jehan also addressed the speeding concerns of La Vallee Des Vaux residents, saying: "My understanding is that additional policing has been put in place there and we would ask people around the island to bear with us while we do these essential infrastructure works.

"We would also ask people to obey, not only speed limits, but also one way signs and where roads are closed.

"That only compounds the problem when people ignore those signs."