Jersey train company hoping to bring services back

Alexander Sparrow has a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan to discuss the plan

Plans have been put forward to bring a regular train service back to Jersey for the first time in nearly 90 years.

Jersey Western Railway (JWR) said it wanted to set up an "affordable, comfortable and sustainable" service in the island, operating from Corbiere via St Aubin to St Helier, with a branch line to the airport.

Alexander Sparrow, founder of JWR, said if the plans were backed, trains would run every seven-and-a-half minutes with a journey costing £4.90.

Infrastructure Minister, Constable Andy Jehan said he was aware of the plan and was willing to listen to the ideas of islanders.

'Frequent service'

The last regular service in Jersey ran between St Helier and Corbiere in 1936, before being shut down due to fewer people using the trains.

Islanders have put forward other proposals since the last trains ran to bring services back including a plan for a train or tram from the west of Jersey to St Helier, but none has become a reality.

Mr Sparrow said JWR's plans would utilise some areas previously used for rail services on the island which had since become a walking and cycling route.

He added traffic on the island had become a problem and having a consistent train service would bring many benefits.

"I think the main benefits are going to be a rapid transit service that is reliable, on time and has a frequent service period that is segregated from the traffic," Mr Sparrow said.

The proposal has received some criticism, with Kate Huntington from the Better Journeys Project saying it could result in a "beautiful area" being lost.

"The railway walk is very prized on the island, so I just can't imagine why we'd take that away from the huge number of people who use it now," Ms Huntington said.

"If we can't get people out of their cars to use the fantastic bus service that serves St Aubin and the airport, what on earth would a train do?"

Mr Jehan confirmed he had agreed to meet with Mr Sparrow at the JWR founder's request, to discuss the proposals.

Mr Jehan added: "This is not an infrastructure proposal, but I'm always willing to meet with islanders and listen to ideas."