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Getting people across a busy dual carriageway has long been a problem for the St Helier waterfront - but one local businessman has come up with a novel solution: cover the road with a new park instead.
Steve Beddoe, owner of the Colesberg Hotel, has proposed plans to develop the lower park area, and part of Victoria Avenue, at no cost to the tax payer, in return for a long lease from the Parish of the St Helier for the land.
Mr Beddoe believes the space is “poorly used due to its compromised location” sandwiched between two busy roads.
He would rather see the space converted into 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 that Mr Beddoe believes would be "the pride of the Islands," and known as Le Jardin de Mélêches. It would be funded by revenue from the concealed parking.
Pictured: Mr Beddoe's designs for the Jardin de Mélêches, which would sit alongside the coast.
Currently, Mr Beddoe is trying to raise public support for his plans so that he can gain Parish approval and move forward with the designs.
He said: “The intention is to get enough public support for the project, then I want to get the Parish of St Helier to give me approval to take it to the next stage so I can form a group to fund it and explore whether it is financially feasible. The initial indication is that it is viable but without permission in place that I’ve got the approval for the lease from the Parish I can’t take it any further.”
“The plan is for me to form a group to build it and deliver it and we’d retain the car parking element and that will give us enough to fund it and finance it.”
Pictured: Features of the Jardin de Mélêches overpass.
Mr Beddoe would like to take his plans on a roadshow around the Island to get public feedback and see what facilities islanders would want to incorporate into the development.
Current ideas include the possibility of building a skate park and a mini transport hub for cyclists providing lockers and showers.
Mr Beddoe said: “It’s an incredible opportunity, it’s a wonderful blank canvas.”
Pictured: Jardin de Mélêches as seen from road level.
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