Park and ride trial scheme proposed for Jersey

A Jersey climate change charity has proposed a one-year trial of a park and ride scheme at a former Covid test site to boost bus patronage.

Jersey in Transition (JiT) said it followed a "series of public meetings" on the island's transport network.

The charity, which was established 14 years ago, said the scheme would be based near the airport.

A Jersey minister said he would meet with the charity to discuss the proposed scheme.

JiT said the goal would be to "increase the use of bus transport and reduce the number of cars on the roads".

It said park and ride facilities "around the island" near out-of-town population centres would make a "significant difference".

The proposed trial site would be at Airport Village to the west of the island.

The charity said the trial would provide "significant data" for a wider roll-out.

Benefits cited by the group in a report included reduction in carbon emissions and traffic, a healthier and safer environment for islanders and time saved from reduced congestion.

The report said: "There are thousands of people in Jersey who feel that they live too far from a good bus route for them regularly to use buses for their commutes, shopping and other everyday needs."

It said this included residents of St Peter, St Ouen, St Mary and parts of St Brelade.

The charity said the proposed site would enable "hundreds of people a day" to catch buses while there was also a cycle path leading to the site.

The charity said it was aware the airport had a "pending" planning application for a new aircraft hanger but it said that, even if approved, this was not expected to start for "the next 12 months at least".

The report indicated a "latent demand" for such a scheme and referred to an "informal" chat with Liberty Bus revealing spare capacity on buses passing the site.

It said the proposal met "all the requirements and aims of the Governments of Jersey's Sustainable Transport policies".

Connétable Andy Jehan, Minister for Infrastructure, said he was a "keen supporter" of the creation of travel hubs.

He added: "Whether that be park-and-ride schemes, or the provision of covered bicycle racks at bus stops in parish hubs or where cycle paths and main roads intersect, anything that enables more people to make the commute into St Helier on public transport thereby cutting down the number of cars on the road is to be encouraged.

"I would be happy to meet with Jersey in Transition to explore such schemes."

The BBC has contacted Jersey Airport.

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