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After a childhood spent with a pencil in his hand, Ben Robertson, also known as Bokra, switched to spray cans. Since then, he has been painting the town's walls, including a large mural at La Colomberie in collaboration with the Skipton Art Series.
But street art and spray cans are not the only things that get Ben's mind rolling. He shared with Express the five major changes he believes need to happen for, "...the wellbeing of the people that live on this small island," - and then drew out his visions for the future.
The first and most important change: vehicles and the road system. On an island that is nine miles by five, and has an average speed of 20mph, there are over 200,000 cars, some with the ability to drive at speeds of over 200mph. Petrol tax needs to be scrapped to make way for electric vehicles. The road system will be made wider to accommodate large pavements for cyclists, pedestrians and skateboards. All private vehicles will be limited to 40mph, and any unnecessary petrol guzzlers removed from the island.
Pictured: Ben wants "any unnecessary petrol guzzlers" to be removed from the island.
Public transport will become electric and free of charge, with the re-introduction of the train from St Aubin to Gorey. To ease the amount of cars on the roads, the DVS will offer free motorbike tests, and up to 100cc scooters will be included with a car licence. To celebrate this change, the Avenue and Five Mile Road will be closed on Sundays, to only be used by pedestrians, cyclists and any other non-motor vehicle.
The second change to Jersey’s redesign would be to pedestrianise the town centre. Town has become a constant stream of traffic, with people parking as close to their destination as possible.
Pictured: Outdoor eating areas, permanent outdoor markets and spaces for indoor cultural events should replace vehicles in the town centre according to Ben.
The introduction of outdoor eating areas, permanent outdoor markets and spaces for indoor cultural events. Access for bicycles, motorbikes, skateboards and scooters will be allowed, and encouraged by re-paving all the tarmac with super smooth paving, just like Bordeaux’s High Street. Park and ride schemes will be introduced, and the removal of all central car parks to be replaced by green spaces, full of trees, plants and wildlife.
The third change is personal. Jersey lacks a creative or cultural hub, a place creatives can connect, collaborate and grow. Much like the Pixar building. The hub will be linked with many island-wide unused buildings, rooms and outdoor areas, which will become studios, exhibition spaces and event sites.
Pictured: A creative similar to the Pixar building? Now that would be a dream says the street artist.
It will feature a central meeting area, an auditorium for visiting public speakers, rooms of varying sizes for hire on permanent or temporary basis, and a museum featuring works by masters to inspire the next generation.
The fourth change will be the relocation of all commercial buildings from the town centre and La Collette. Buildings such as Romerils and Normans will be moved out of town into new warehouses with easy access and abundant parking, and La Collette will be relocated to the north coast. The sites at the old harbour and La Collette can then be transformed with restaurants, bars, hotels and entertainment for the public.
Pictured: Restaurants, bars and entertainment in lieu of commercial buildings, that is one of Ben's ideas for Jersey.
The harbour will be returned to a place where people can walk and enjoy the freedom of the fresh sea air. This model will also be implemented at Havre des Pas promenade. An area that is naturally beautiful, but has been scarred by the 70s tourism boom. This will also be returned to a traditional promenade bustling with life and vibrancy.
The fifth and final change: ports and harbours. Although we live on a beautiful island, sometimes we need to get away. This can be a costly and time consuming affair. The single boat company is often delayed and can be expensive for vehicles. Most international air travel is via London Heathrow, an airport Jersey does not fly to.
Pictured: Jersey is nice but sometimes you need to get away says Ben.
Unused harbours will be reopened by multiple new boat companies that ferry fast, cheap and plentiful ‘passenger only’ boats between UK and France. Year round air travel with direct flights to all major European cities, not forgetting Heathrow airport!
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.
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