Waterbuses, art trails and outdoor cinemas... Havre des Pas regeneration plans revealed

Friday 22 February 2019

Waterbuses, art trails, an outdoor cinema, and a one-way system are all being put forward as part of plans to to make Havre des Pas "a more pleasant place to live and work in and to visit".

Islanders are being asked to give their views on the proposals for the final scheme, which will then be voted on by States Members during the Budget 2020 debate in November.

Consultants were hired by the Parish of St. Helier to survey the area and inform a series of proposals to help "redefine Havre des Pas as a residential ‘village area’, whilst also making it a more attractive destination for people to visit".

The ideas put forward are currently on display at the Ommaroo Hotel, with a series of panels presenting different points of interest and how they could be improved.

Pictured: It is suggested that arrival points to Havre des Pas be enhanced.

It starts from "gateways" at Mount Bingham, Green Street and St. Clement's Road, where the "arrival experience" could be made better through distinctive furniture and structures, murals, artwork and signage as well as focussed planting.

The Parish is also proposing an extension of the promenade along Havre des Pas with a boardwalk in a bid to "increase the pedestrian space, strengthen the relationship to the sea and improve access to the beach".

The seafront promenade would be linked to the Lido Pier through a new public space, which would be a "central point for orientation and entertainment".

Pictured: Seafront gardens would also contribute to the public space. 

The pedestrian promenade, which goes behind the Marina Metro Hotel, could also be renovated with a "high quality finish".

The suggestions for the area also included installing shutters where artwork could be displayed and to encourage pop-up concessions in the area. 

The "corner" of the beach at the Fort D'Auvergne, seafront gardens and the Collette headland are also the focus of a series of proposals aiming to improve existing space and create further sites of interests. 

Pictured: The seafront promenade could be linked to the Lido Pier.

The Lido was a key feature of the proposals, with a plan to improve its exterior finish. The plans suggested using the steps as a "canvas" for light features, while the pier and the beach could become the setting for an outdoor cinema.

A walking route could also be established around and beyond Havre des Pas to tell the area's rich history though an art trail.

This would include a sculpture at Rocher des Proscrits recreating the iconic image of French author, Victor Hugo. 

Pictured: The map shows the proposed one-way system (the thick blue dotted lines) as well as the potential route for a water bus.

However, it is said that a "one-way system" needs to be at the heart of the proposals. "The Havre des Pas Improvement Group has recognised for a long time that the main obstacle which stands in the way of improving the quality of life of people in Havre des Pas is the fact that the promenade is used as a ‘rat run’ for both morning and evening commuters going in and out of St Helier from the east of the island," one of the panels explained. 

It is therefore suggested that Havre des Pas be turned a one-way street westbound while Green Street would be one-way northbound. Planners said this would reduce traffic levels, as well as pollution and noise while improving safety and pedestrian crossings. 

To give commuters from the East more travel options, the proposals include the creation of a waterbus route, that would hop from Havre de Pas to town. 

Pictured: The panels presenting the propositions are on display until 27 February at the Ommaroo.

The plans will go on display at the Town Hall on 28 February and islanders have until the end of March to share their views about the proposals.

A final study report will then be compiled in April, while schemes will be designed and reviewed with Planning throughout the summer. The scheme will likely not be implemented before 2020.