St Helier commuters frustrated by lack of parking

Workers said they were having to wait for long periods to get a parking space in St Helier

Workers are enduring long waits for parking spaces in St Helier, with one commuter saying they were "completely shocked" by the situation.

In the 10 years to 2021, the number of cars in Jersey has increased by 10,000, according to government data.

The government said it was trying to balance the demand for more car parks with environmental policies, but more spaces would be available soon.

However, a campaign group has called for better cycling and bus infrastructure.

Commuter Alana Mooney said: “The majority of people who park here are office workers, so we park here five days a week. There needs to be more.”

Fellow commuter Teresa Mascaren said: “When I was first dealing with it, I was completely shocked. I had no idea that people had to do this every day.

“People start work at nine and the queue goes on until at least 10.”

Another driver, Harry Baines, described the situation as "chock-a-block".

Speaking about trying to park, Harry Baines said it was "absolutely chock-a-block, you couldn't get in"

Parking fees in Jersey amounted to £3.5m in 2022, government figures show.

A report from the Cabinet Office said the demand for new homes was high and car parking was “not an efficient” use of the land.

However, Constable Simon Crowcroft expressed concern that residents in St Helier were being penalised with fewer parking spaces in new developments.

He said the lack of residential parking was why “Minden Place in particular is full every evening and all weekend”, as residents had to park on the street or in the car parks.

Constable Simon Crowcroft said a lack of parking in new developments was part of the problem

Mr Crowcroft added that accessible car parking was important for the economy as it enabled "shopping, socialising and dining out".

“The only way to do that is to take the pressure off the car parks, by allowing new developments to have sufficient parking for the residents, who have every right to own a car," he said.

Tristen Dodd, head of highways, transport and infrastructure, said the Patriotic Street car park refurbishment had affected the availability of spaces and “an additional 138 spaces will be available in March”, with a new car park near the centre of town.

However, Nigel Jones, from charity Jersey in Transition, said he actively encouraged a reduction in car use and believed the island needed “better cycling infrastructure and a better bus service”.