Minister to respond to calls not to cut speed limits

Monday 03 July 2023

A petition calling for the Government to stop lowering speed limits has surpassed 1,000 signatures, meaning the Infrastructure Minister must now respond.

Islander Bradley Bechelet launched the petition last month, in response to a government consultation on changing speeds on around 50 roads across five parishes.

Roads in Trinity, St. John, St. Mary, St. Peter and St. Lawrence could be affected, with the Government arguing that lower speed limits would help improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

The petition is already nearing 1,200 signatures, meaning that Ministers are obligated to respond. 

Petitions that reach 5,000 votes are considered for debate in the States Assembly.

Pictured: The petition is already nearing 1,200 signatures.

Mr Bechelet previously told Express that while he was not opposed to making roads safer in certain spots, he felt that speed limits were being used as a "quick fix" by government. 

He added: "People who speed will speed, regardless of the speed limit, because they just don’t care about the law."

Meanwhile, a petition asking for St. John's Road in St. Helier to be made one-way has topped 500 signatures.

Among those opposing the change, which the Government said is aimed at making the area safer, is one of the Government's own senior transport planners, Rob Hayward, who is arguing that it will cause more safety issues by diverting traffic down Parade Road and turning the quiet residential area into a "major artery".

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Express previously spoke to Head of Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVS) Gordon Forrest about the an ongoing programme to improve road safety in the island...