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A row over whether Broad Street should be re-opened to disabled parking has led to calls for the Government to put more focus on accessibility.
CEO of local disability charity, Enable Jersey, said that disabled islanders were feeling “more second-class than ever”.
Pictured: CEO of Enable Jersey Sean Pontin said that "people living with a disability feel more second-class than ever".
Meanwhile, founder of Shopmobility Jersey, Edward Trevor – also a member of the Disability Parking Group – has arranged a meeting in St John's Parish Hall on 29 June to discuss improvements to the blue-badge scheme with the Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan.
Express reported in April that the Disability Parking Group were due to meet with the Minister to put forward their reasons that Broad Street should be re-opened to blue-badge holders.
Broad Street was first pedestrianised in May 2020 to support social distancing in King Street and at the Charing Cross intersection during the pandemic.
In the summer of 2021, Ministers agreed to extend the closure – following a proposition from St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft – and the disabled bays have not returned. Only buses and bicycles are currently allowed to use the road.
However, following that meeting, Jackie Hilton, a former politician and leader of the lobbying effort, said their request had been met with "outright refusal".
Pictured: "It would seem to us the Government does not consider accessibility and inclusivity as much as they would like us to believe."
She said: "We were also informed if the matter of Broad Street was included on the Agenda of a public meeting at a future date to be mutually decided, the Minister would not attend or answer any questions related to this point.
"We are naturally very disappointed at this outcome. It would seem to us the Government does not consider accessibility and inclusivity as much as they would like us to believe.
"The narrowing of La Motte Street outside Customer and Local Services is a prime example of their inability to consider the needs of all islanders.
"I would like to see accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront of Ministers' minds when making decisions which affect us all in different ways."
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan has instead written to the Bailiff to ask whether parking spaces on Vine Street currently reserved for Jurats could be made available to blue-badge holders on all days of the week.
Pictured: Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan has written to the Bailiff to ask whether parking spaces on Vine Street could be made available to blue-badge holders.
Commenting on the meeting, he said: "We discussed a number of other potential additional sites and I am waiting for a response from the Bailiff regarding disabled parking in Vine Street.
"I explained that the 'hoppa' bus is a good way for people to access key facilities in St Helier, including the Market, Library and Hospital, and this is something we are going to start promoting in the coming weeks.
"I have offered to meet with Blue Badge holders to discuss what improvements might be considered including allowed time, size of spaces, signage etc."
He encouraged anyone who sees Blue Badge parking being unlawfully used to report it by calling Parking Control on 448669.
CEO of Enable Jersey Sean Pontin said that "blue badge parking was a "constant conversation".
He added: "We have had a number of conversations with Government regarding spaces in St Helier generally, as not only have the Broad Street spaces gone but a number of spaces have recently been suspended due to adjacent building works.
"We had a commitment that whenever a space was closed another would be made available but I'm not sure that is happening.
"The Government are currently working hard to plot the spaces across the island and for that to lead to an interactive map which is a helpful development."
However, Mr Pontin continued: "Conversations are had about inclusion and accessibility, promises are made but there is no delivery.
"Sadly, more and more we feel, and our clients tell us that people living with a disability feel more second-class than ever and that's not just about parking."
Edward Trevor, who founded Shopmobility Jersey, has now organised the meeting at the end of next month to discuss where blue-badge spaces are needed, time limits, sizes, whether blue-badge holders should pay for parking, among other issues which do not include Broad Street.
Pictured: Edward Trevor, the founder of Shopmobility Jersey, has arranged a meeting in St John's Parish Hall on 29 June to discuss improvements to the blue-badge scheme with the Infrastructure Minister.
He said: "The Minister is quite adamant that the decision has been made not to reopen it and will not discuss it.
"Although we disagree, it is better to meet to try to agree improvements than not to meet at all.
"I am disappointed that Broad Street is not to reopen and know that many blue badge holders feel the same."
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