Architects put park-bridge plans back on the agenda

Tuesday 03 September 2019

A local architecture firm is hoping the government will take a fresh look at its ambitious plans for a park-bridge at the Waterfront, as it seeks ideas to transform the south of St. Helier.

Under the plans by Socrates Architects, a sloping park and timber bridge (8-10m wide) would rise up from the Esplanade quarter, providing a route over La Route de la Libération and “connecting Jersey’s historic town” with the newer Waterfront developments, Jardins de la Mer area and the cycle path beyond.

The firm – who also recently revealed plans to shake up Snow Hill - says that the idea would provide green space in the town area and an attractive “lookout point with expansive views” for islands and visitors.

But, more importantly, it would also resolve the question of how to get people across the busy dual carriageway in a safer way.

Pictured: A closer view of the proposed park-bridge. (Socrates Architects)

“The Bridge not only provides a safe and pleasant means to cross a busy road, but Islanders will gain significant green space in the form of two parks – one east-facing and one west-facing,” Principal Architect Nicholas Socrates said. 

The idea was raised in 2014, as the then government sought to develop its Waterfront Masterplan.

Despite plaudits from the Achitects’ Journal, the idea wasn’t picked up at the time.

But now the firm suggests it’s worth a fresh look, with the Environment Minister having just launched a consultation on the future look and feel of the south of St. Helier.

“The newly-published masterplan identifies the same two parcels of land either side of La Route de la Libération which we have utilised in our proposal as the sloping park for our Park-Bridge scheme,” Mr Socrates explained.

Pictured: The area Socrates Architects wish to transform. (Government of Jersey)

In a section focused on the Esplanade quarter, the ‘Southwest St. Helier  Planning Framework’ document notes the need to improve “crossing routes… for pedestrians and cyclists at the busy junction of Gloucester Street and La Route de la Libération” and advocates a new approach ensuring “that the person, rather than the building or the motorcar, will feel dominant and comfortable in the space.”

"The priority is to grasp the opportunity to create an attractive and safe link between the Waterfront and town,” it adds.

Socrates Architects aren’t the only team to have imagined a bridge for the area.

In 2017, hotel owner and businessman Stephen Beddoe revealed his vision for ‘Le Jardin de Mélêches’.

Video: 'Le Jardin de Mélêches', another park-bridge plan from Stephen Beddoe. 

His plans involved creating a car park for over 700 cars, with decking over the top of the current space and Victoria Avenue, which would give islanders a new park he described as "the pride of the Islands”.