Taxi fare 'doubles' due to vehicle convoy

The Government of Jersey said a vehicle convoy was being used to provide safe access to homes and businesses during the road resurfacing works

A vehicle convoy system in Jersey implemented due to a road being resurfaced has "doubled the price" of a taxi fare, a taxi driver says.

The States of Jersey said the convoy, led by a work vehicle, was being used to provide safe access to homes and businesses during the works on Route de Noirmont in St Brelade, and was the best way to guide motorists.

It said the main highway was closed from 20 January and would reopen on 12 February, two days ahead of schedule.

Taxi driver Tommy Hart said a one-way journey from the Red Houses to the dentist usually costs about £12 totalled to £25 for one customer.

Tommy Hart said he charged the customer the usual amount for her return trip

He said: "This is the first time I've experienced it.

"I've picked up a lady who lives on the way to Ouaisne and a £12.30 drop-off at Red Houses to the dentist was nearly £25 with all this because I have got to go all the way down [a road]."

Mr Hart said he charged the woman £24 for the return trip.

The authority said a convoy was the best way to guide motorists along an alternative route from St Aubin to Portelet car park.

Peter Shirreffs said despite the closure being inconvenient, the road resurfacing was essential

Resident Peter Shirreffs said that, despite the road closure being "inconvenient", the works were "essential".

Mr Shirreffs, who lives on La Route de Noirmont, said: "All in all, they have done a good job - they have been very efficient.

"But it certainly has inconvenienced us having to go with the convoys at the start and certainly at the finish, and sometimes we've had to go round twice.

"It has been very annoying at times."

Robert Cabot, from the States of Jersey's Infrastructure Department, said that, to his knowledge, it was the first time the island had used a convoy system of this nature.

He said it was "very seldom" the authority did projects where the only access for anyone beyond the work site was via the "narrow and twisty parish road".