More than 1,000 islanders accelerate need for speed

Wednesday 03 October 2018

Jersey's Infrastructure Minister is remaining tight-lipped over his view on speed limits amid calls from over 1,000 islanders to increase the maximum to 50mph island-wide.

Posted on the States of Jersey website, a petition calling for the change has now secured enough signatures to gain an official response from the politician in charge, Deputy Kevin Lewis.

The success of the petition, which at the time of writing has secured more than 1,070 signatures in under a week, follows the news that speed limits have been reduced to 20mph in Gorey Village, Havre des Pas and all roads within the St. Helier ring road after the Minister approved the changes proposed by the Parishes.

While an island-wide review of speed limits is being carried out as part of the Road Safety Action Plan introduced in 2016, recent years have mostly seen a decrease in limits across different parts of the island.

When asked about the possibility of increasing the maximum speed from 40mph in line with islanders' calls, Deputy Lewis simply told Express: “I will be discussing it with the Department."

Pictured: Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said that he will be discussing the speed limit issue with his Department prior to the publication of his official Ministerial response.

The Minister was similarly tight-lipped as to whether he would personally support the increase and the factors to be taken into consideration in responding to the decision, reiterating that he “will be talking it over with the Transport Department and our Internal Safety Panel." 

Deputy Lewis worked on the Speed Limit review working group back in 2009 and recently approved the reductions in Grouville and St. Helier. Of these reductions he previously told Express: “This is the next step in our ongoing programme to review speed limits in Jersey and I look forward to being able to sign similar decisions for other parishes over the coming months.”

He will be expected to provide an official written response to the petition in the coming weeks. If it reaches 5,000 signatures, the motion will be considered for debate in the States Assembly.