Jersey roads 'disgraceful' and 'a mess' - islanders

The government manages the majority of roads but smaller country roads are maintained by the parishes

Islanders have described Jersey's roads as "disgraceful", "a mess" and said the government needed to spend more money to maintain them.

The government manages the majority of roads but smaller country roads are maintained by the 12 individual parishes.

A main road in St Helier is set to remain closed to traffic until April after a burst water main caused a sinkhole and damage to surrounding buildings.

Andy Jehan, minister for infrastructure, said the government spent over £6m annually on maintaining the roads, with about £700,000 spent a year "to repair potholes".

One man told BBC Radio Jersey: "They're a mess. They're full of potholes and they [government] haven't co-ordinated digging them up" whereas a lady said there was "no maintenance".

"They're not spending enough just on the maintenance of the roads."

'Underinvestment in infrastructure'

Mr Jehan said damage could be caused by a multitude of issues and that the government worked closely with household services including gas, water and electricity.

He said: "We have monthly meetings with all the services and there's a procedure for them to reinstate the work... we have people out on the roads every day inspecting roads and reporting back.

"I would say there's been underinvestment in our infrastructure for many, many years and we can only do what we can with the money that we're given."

Andy Jehan said the government spent over £6m annually on maintaining the roads

Mr Jehan said if the department was afforded further funding, it "could do more each year".

He said: "I keep banging the drum for us to get further investment in our infrastructure.

"Not just roads but the drains that go underneath them - I'll continue fighting that corner."

Constable of St Peter Richard Vibert said there were 41 roads in the parish that the ratepayer was responsible for.

He said: "When it comes to potholes, reports are sent into the parish hall... about every six weeks we bring those together and go out to a contractor to quote for repairs."

He added that Mr Jehan had "a much bigger responsibility" to keep the main public roads maintained.