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VIDEO: Waterfront bridge? How about a new park instead?

VIDEO: Waterfront bridge? How about a new park instead?

Tuesday 28 February 2017

VIDEO: Waterfront bridge? How about a new park instead?

Tuesday 28 February 2017


Getting people across a busy dual carriageway has long been a problem for the St Helier waterfront - but one local businessman has come up with a novel solution: cover the road with a new park instead.

Steve Beddoe, owner of the Colesberg Hotel, has proposed plans to develop the lower park area, and part of Victoria Avenue, at no cost to the tax payer, in return for a long lease from the Parish of the St Helier for the land.

Mr Beddoe believes the space is “poorly used due to its compromised location” sandwiched between two busy roads.

He would rather see the space converted into a car park for over 700 cars, with decking over the top of the current space and Victoria Avenue, which would give islanders a new park that Mr Beddoe believes would be "the pride of the Islands," and known as Le Jardin de Mélêches. It would be funded by revenue from the concealed parking. 

Jardin_de_meleches_plans.png

Pictured: Mr Beddoe's designs for the Jardin de Mélêches, which would sit alongside the coast.

Currently, Mr Beddoe is trying to raise public support for his plans so that he can gain Parish approval and move forward with the designs. 

He said: “The intention is to get enough public support for the project, then I want to get the Parish of St Helier to give me approval to take it to the next stage so I can form a group to fund it and explore whether it is financially feasible. The initial indication is that it is viable but without permission in place that I’ve got the approval for the lease from the Parish I can’t take it any further.”

“The plan is for me to form a group to build it and deliver it and we’d retain the car parking element and that will give us enough to fund it and finance it.” 

Jardin de Mélêches

Pictured: Features of the Jardin de  Mélêches overpass.

Mr Beddoe would like to take his plans on a roadshow around the Island to get public feedback and see what facilities islanders would want to incorporate into the development.

 Current ideas include the possibility of building a skate park and a mini transport hub for cyclists providing lockers and showers.

Mr Beddoe said: “It’s an incredible opportunity, it’s a wonderful blank canvas.” 

Jardin de Mélêches

Pictured: Jardin de Mélêches as seen from road level.

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Posted by Jersey Bergerac on
Brilliant brilliant brilliant the best idea for this Island for donkies years go for it
Posted by Denise Shrives on
This idea seems too good to be true, is there a catch ? Would new park mean the Peoples Park would be built on ? Would the bridge be high enough to let BOF Floats go under or is the plan to move the BOF Parade somewhere else ?
Posted by The old git Git on
OMG they're at it again. How long has it taken to decide or nearly decide on the new hospital. Well this could be another pipe dream by our wealthy states departments.
Posted by The old git Git on
What on earth it the "Welcome to St Helier" sign all about.
Posted by Stephan Beddoe on
Dear Bailiwick Express thank you for a really well presented article. Denise Shrives No catch I have met with BOF chairman and he was very helpful. Firstly access from the east will be via the inner road and the exit on to the avenue at the west will be via a ramp. However alternatively in times past floats were restricted in height and this could be reintroduced to maximum of 17' 6" but for sure we will look after the BOF. This is a private scheme so no public money. Give me a chance "Welcome to St Helier" is just a very first idea I'm sure we can do better
Posted by Barrie Langlois on
Let this happen as the sea is rising anyway and as an exchange put the hospital on peoples park where it should go !
Posted by stewart lobb on
not a bad creative effort bur ,What would grow in the park with monthly lashings of salt? At first sight a good imaginative concept worth investigating further.
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