All quiet on Parish 'quiet lanes'...so far

Wednesday 04 August 2021

No new green or ‘quiet’ lanes have been designated more than a year after politicians backed a plan to protect more country routes from motorists and give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders – but Constables say they should have plans for a ‘network’ together by the end of the year.

Last July, the States backed a proposal by Deputy Ward to bring in new laws, signs and road markings to potentially hundreds of lanes, which would restrict vehicles and promote environmentally friendly travel.

The Deputy successfully argued that the new network would be a “relaunch” of the existing Green Lane network and give it a more powerful legal framework.

However, he recognised that not all Green Lanes might be part of the new ‘quiet lane’ network nor should every road in it have a 15mph speed limit, as Green Lanes do.

Last July, politicians backed Deputy Ward’s proposal, which had been successfully amended by the 12 parish Constables to give them more say over which roads are chosen and to give them the lead on making the changes, in consultation with the Infrastructure Minister.

The proposal was also backed by climate change activists before the debate.

Just over a year on from the vote, the Comité des Connétables said it is still working on plans, but that details of the new road network could return to the States Assembly for approval this year. 

Pictured: The new network will have its own signs and road markings, which could include arrows and hatching.

It said: “As requested by the States, following approval of [Deputy Ward’s proposal], the Comité des Connétables has been working with the Minister for Infrastructure to review the legislation and to consider what changes may be necessary. 

“The changes would be to give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in designated roads and also to restrict vehicular traffic in such roads to essential travel.

“The Comité des Connétables is also consulting with the Minister for Infrastructure about the current road signs and markings for such designated roads.

“We have had some useful discussions with the Infrastructure, Housing and Environment Department and expect the Comité to discuss the options further in the autumn before reporting back to the States Assembly.”

Asked if it had identified the roads that would form the new network, the Comité added: “The framework, and whether changes to legislation are required, needs to be determined before any decision can be made as to the roads to which it will apply.”

Pictured: Deputy Rob Ward’s proposal last year was successful.

Deputy Ward convinced Members last July that the new network would stop lanes being used as ‘rat runs’ by motorists and support the island’s ‘sustainable transport’ objectives. 

He said that legislation should come back to the States in the first quarter of 2021, but the Comité successfully amended the proposal to give them time to consider the practicality of the new network.

Some of the challenges the Constables and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis face is choosing which roads should be included, defining what “essential travel” means for motorists and how any law will be practically enforced.