Dentist concerned works could risk patient safety

Dr Ivo Raitchev patients still required pick-up and drop-off points outside of his practice on Broad Street in St Helier, Jersey

A dentist has shared his concerns about the safety of his patients as work to pedestrianise Broad Street in St Helier begins.

Broad Street Dental clinical director Dr Ivo Raitchev said that although he welcomes the improvements in the town, his patients still required drop-off and pick-up points outside the practice.

The Government of Jersey said the first phase of the project aims to transform the stretch from Lloyds Bank to the Post office with new paving, street furniture and tree planting.

Dr Raitchev said the practice did "a lot of sedations" and so some patients needed to be collected outside.

A dentist said he still requires pick-up and drop-off points outside of his practice on Broad Street in St Helier, Jersey

"Dentistry patients are anxious so they might need to be picked up from outside the practice which we used to have before," said Dr Raitchev.

He said the authorities considered the needs of other businesses with regards to deliveries but not necessarily the medical needs of its patients.

Dr Raitchev said parking control and traffic wardens have been "flexible" about vehicles stopping outside as long as they were informed in advance.

However, he said one car waiting to pick up a patient had been given a parking ticket for waiting outside for 10 minutes.

He said the practice had paid the fine as he felt it was necessary "for the dignity of the family member".

Dr Raitchev has contacted planning and the Minister responsible for the project but said he felt "nobody was listening".

He added: "We've been emailing back and forth within the planning department and the Minister.

"It feels like it's been falling on deaf ears because we've at every stage just been brushed aside as not being that important, but I actually think if you ask any number of our patients the services we provide are vital."

Jeremy Peel believes the revamp of Broad Street was a "waste of money"

Jeremy Peel, 78, said he was a disabled driver and believes the revamp was a "total waste of money" and "unnecessary".

"I'm a disabled driver and I have a blue badge," he said.

"There's no blue badge parking down here any longer and there are people who need to get to the post offices, banks and the bus.

"Businesses down here are going to lose a lot of money."

A woman, who asked to remain anonymous, welcomed the pedestrianisation, adding it would be a positive step for the town as long as authorities allowed "more alfresco areas".

Another person, who also asked to remain anonymous, said Broad Street would look clean and fresh but some of the shops were not open and there were fewer hotels on the island for tourists.

They added: "If you had more shops it would be pleasing to the eye as well."

The government said the project will run until March 2026 with further phases planned through to late 2027.