Spotted one of these around town? Here’s what they’re for

Friday 23 September 2022

Scores of islanders have been taken to social media questioning why cameras have been popping up along roads in and around the centre of St. Helier this week.

Some have speculated that these are stealthily added new speed cameras, while others thought they may be extra CCTV.

One islander even suggested that the intention was "to catch regular dog walkers who don’t pick up their mess".

However, the reason is actually linked to the island’s drive towards carbon neutrality.

Between Thursday 22 September and Saturday 24 September, officials have been undertaking traffic surveys of vehicles moving in and out of the island's capital and have installed a total of 20 cameras to do so.

Pictured: One of the many social media posts about the cameras.

This, the Government said, "will enable us to identify priority routes at various times of the day and provide better understanding of how Islanders are currently using the town's road network."

Results of the survey project, which is expected to cost around £20,000 in total, will be included within the 'St. Helier Mobility Plan', a document laying out future sustainable transport plans being drawn up as part of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

The cameras will process vehicle number plates as part of the research, but these will not be stored according to Government.