'Road safer' without central white line

The trial to remove the centre line follows the resurfacing of the Route de Noirmont

Removing the central white line from one of the island's narrows roads will make it safer, the Government of Jersey has said.

It comes as the government is carrying out a six-month trial after not re-painting the white line on the recently-resurfaced Route de Noirmont.

Constable Andy Jehan, Minister for Infrastructure, argued the move would make drivers slow down and "pay more attention to the environment".

He was responding to a written question from St Brelade Deputy Helen Miles who requested evidence for the claims, and whether the trial had been approved by the States of Jersey Police beforehand.

Space for pedestrians

Jehan cited several studies, including the UK's Manual for Streets, as examples of how the removal of the centre line can reduce the amount of risk drivers are willing to take.

He said the decision not to repaint the white line after the resurfacing was also in order to create space for pedestrians and to "mitigate a likely increase in vehicle speeds due to the road's resurfacing".

In response to the question about whether it was approved by the police, Jehan said: "The Department for Infrastructure is the competent authority in traffic and highway engineering matters.

"It would not be in line with normal practice to consult the States of Jersey Police about a specific operational matter such as a road traffic trial."

Throughout the trial there will be speed checks and site visits, and at the end officials will ask for feedback from the public.