Road safety campaigner "infuriated" by lack of action around Town Park

Friday 04 August 2017

Road safety campaigner Nicola McAteer has hit out at the Parish of the St Helier, saying she finds it "infuriating that nothing has been done so far to protect users and pedestrians" around Millennium Park.

The Parish announced last Friday that Gas Place is to be closed to 'through traffic' following the recommendations made in a safety report on the roads around the Town Park prompted by the death of three-year-old Clinton Pringle.

The three-year-old toddler was killed in June 2016 after a driver ran him over in the shared-space area of Tunnell Street. 39-year-old Rebekah Le Gal was sentenced on 25 July to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, for causing by careless driving.

The road layout around Millennium Park was criticised throughout the trial as "unclear" and "not adequate enough to significantly mitigate the risk to pedestrians." 

Pictured: Clinton Pringle was run over in the shared-space area of Tunnell Street. (Google Maps)

A year on, road safety campaigner and St Helier resident, Nicola McAteer, has hit out at the Parish of St Helier for not making any changes to the layout. A friend of Clinton Pringle's family, Mrs McAteer called for urgent safety changes following the toddler's fatal accident. Her petition calling for "all surrounding roads beside Millennium Park in St Helier to be closely investigated" gathered over 3,000 signatures.

She said: "As a St Helier resident and mum with two young children, I find it infuriating that nothing has been done so far to protect the park users and pedestrians of this area. When I pass through Millennium Town Park, within a five minute period I can count at least three to five cars using the road illegally as a short cut! I speak to these drivers, who always plead ignorance, or say they haven't seen the signs or not realised. How many cars and vans pass through when I am not there?"

Following the Parish announcement that the St Helier Roads Committee approved changes to "eliminate through traffic" at Gas Place, Mrs McAteer said it was an outcome the Road Safety Campaigners expected. "It's clear to see that this road needs to be closed to all traffic. However we understand some access needs to be appointed to local businesses." 

Pictured: The Parish say Tunnell Street will remain an "Access to Premises Only" for the near future. 

The Parish also stated that Tunnell Street is to remain "Access to Premises Only with road marking and signage indicating the presence of pedestrians in the area." There are no immediate plans to restrict further vehicular access to Tunnell Street, as legal matters have only just concluded. The Parish however indicated they will "... continue to monitor the use of this road and to take action against those who use it illegally."

Mrs McAteer said that parishioners have contacted her and Clinton's family to express concerns about the proposed changes. They think the Parish "...are protecting themselves, rather than protecting their parishioners and tourists." They are also sceptical about how Tunnell Street will be monitored. Mrs McAteer said: "The cameras that were out of order at the time of the accident, could they be used to monitor traffic using the area illegally. What can be done with these individuals who use the road unlawfully? The Parish say they will be dealt with, in what way? What action will take place? A fine, a warning?"

Furthermore, the group seems disappointed that nothing has been done since March, when the changes were approved by the Roads Committee. "Why can we not just close this dangerous road, before a further family have to go through what the Pringles have, unnecessarily!"

"Everyone knows what needs to be done at this precarious bend and the roads on Tunnell Street and Gas Place. We need the Parish to do the right thing and use common sense in this regard, before another accident happens and another young innocent life is lost."

Pictured: Additional signs were put up at the exit of Belmont Road passageway onto Tunnell Street, following Clinton's death.

While the Parish maintains the additional signage provided in the area is "...sufficient to indicate to pedestrians accessing the Millennium Town Park from Belmont Road that they are entering shared space," Mrs McAteer says it's not the case. "The signage remains insufficient. Vulnerable road users who need curbs and pedestrian crossings require more than a flimsy sign, that was actually down last time I visited the park!"

The campaigning group also wants to read the report compiled by UK engineer Alexandra Luck, which was commissioned by the police. The road safety expert carried out an audit on the layout of Tunnell Street which the police intend to release now that the judicial proceedings are concluded. Mrs McAteer explained: "The independent investigation team have obviously made some important decisions, the community need to be made aware of these. Did they propose for the road to remain open as it stands? Or did they propose the closure, if so, then the Parish are clearly going against advice."

Pictured: Campaigners want the shared-space at Tunnell Street to be removed.

Mrs McAteer is also asking for the shared-space to be removed as it "simply doesn't work." "This Shared space idea does not work in and around a town park where you encourage tourists and park users to enjoy the facilities! It simply doesn't work, there's proof it doesn't! Young Clinton lost his life on this road/pavement!"

However, St. Brelade constable, Steve Pallett explained that shared-space, or "mixed use" works in St. Aubin are constantly reviewed by the Roads Committee. He said: "The main area outside the Parish Hall is being considered for an upgrade and reviewing shared use is part of the design process."

He also explained that concerns are being addressed. "Parishioners and more generally islanders have complained about all sorts of issues within St. Brelade during my time as Connetable and, if evidence exists to review any area of road safety, either the Roads Committee of DFI investigate and consider options. A good example of changes that were implemented as a result of comments received by parishioners was the traffic calming scheme on Petite Route des Mielles."

St. Helier residents should be able to voice their concerns when the proposed changes to Gas Place are released for public consultation.