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Businesses split on £2.5m resurfacing project

Marie Raine
BBC News, Jersey
BBC Broad Street in St Helier. It is a street scene in a town centre on a bright and sunny day. Buildings on both sides of the street are traditional in style, with a mix of white and beige facades. Some buildings have red accents, such as doors or signs. A few people are walking on pavements.BBC
There are plans to resurface Broad Street and make it more pedestrian-friendly

Businesses near Broad Street in St Helier have mixed views on plans to pedestrianise the road as part of a £2.5m re-surfacing project.

Bar owner David Voisin said it would "add vibrancy" to the centre of the town.

But dentist Ivo Raitchev said he was concerned about patients who were under sedation having to walk further to catch lifts home.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition, which calls to scrap the "vanity project". Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he would respond in due course.

Bar Levant People sitting in the al-fresco bar and restaurant called, Bar Levant. It is near Broad Street in the centre of St Helier.Bar Levant
Bar Levant, near Broad Street in St Helier

Work is currently under way to repave Library Place and Church Street, which will remain open to buses and taxis.

Mr Voisin, who runs the al-fresco bar and eatery Bar Levant, said he thought removing more traffic from Broad Street would make it more appealing to sit outside.

He said: "The sun shines here all day long and people really enjoy sitting out here.

"I don't think it is a vanity project, and you don't want to see St Helier fading away.

"You've got to constantly re-invest in order to keep places at their best."

David Voisin, smiling at the camera. He is an older man with grey hair and a grey beard. He is wearing glasses, and a formal shirt and jacket.
David Voisin runs Bar Levant near Broad Street in St Helier

But Dr Ivo Raitchev, who operates a dental practice on Broad Street, said he thought closing the road to cars would put patients at risk, especially those given sedatives.

He said: "I'm all for improving the town centre, but there should be consideration for people that need these services and have problems with access.

"We've been recommending that they consider some special kind of access for those patients."

Dr Ivo Raitchev is looking off camera. He is bald with a goatee beard and some stubble. He is wearing purple medical scrubs.
Dr Ivo Raitchev from Broad Street Dental practice

Jackie Hilton-Egre organised the petition calling for the government to keep the road open to some vehicles, including Blue Badge holders; and divert funds allocated for new paving to other areas.

She said "The government appear to be oblivious to what the public want and need, like a fully-functioning health service and essential maintenance of our public buildings.

"Not taxpayers' money being frittered away on vanity projects."

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan previously told the BBC improving public spaces "supports economic growth, enhances the environment, and encourages active travel."

He said he would formally respond to the petition, in writing, in due course.

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