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Full plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles in Jersey will be unveiled in Autumn, the government has pledged.
The commitment came in the 'Sustainable Transport Policy' put forward by the Infrastructure Minister, which includes proposals of payroll schemes for bus passes, traffic-free days in St. Helier, safer travel to schools for children, improved bus services and more cycle routes to encourage islanders to rely less on petrol.
The document includes a ‘Framework for a Sustainable Transport System 2020-2030’, which outlines the government’s vision for transport that supports the wellbeing of all islanders over the next decade.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, says this is the first time the government is making it clear that “fewer vehicle journeys will be a good thing for Jersey” and taking “decisive action” to encourage people to change the way that they travel.
Pictured: Deputy Kevin Lewis says this is the first time the government is taking “decisive action” to encourage people to change their traveling habits.
“The STP recognises that any further increase in our current transport system would be unsustainable and not in the best interests of the Island’s future,” the Minister added.
“Our entire transport system must be redesigned following the principles of sustainable wellbeing, and this policy framework starts us on that journey.
“For those journeys that do still require cars, we will continue to support the transition to electric vehicles with free parking and more electric charging points, and we will agree a target date by which that long-term transition will be apparent.”
The STP also includes a ‘Strong Start Delivery Plan’ which outlines what actions the government will take over the next 12 months to start delivering the framework.
Here's a summary of the initiatives that will launch or be trialled this year...
Pictured: The government wants to encourage more pupils to use public transport or cycle to get to school. (Government of Jersey)
The government wants to facilitate access to the schools in St. Saviour and will not only be start trialling a shuttle bus from the west of town by April, but also a walking bus from Liberation Station for the summer term.
They have also pledged to partner with Jersey Sport to provide Bikeability, a cycling training organisation, to children in Years 1, 4 and 6, starting with schools in the west and then other schools throughout the year.
Sustainable transport workshops for small businesses will also be launched before spring to discuss issues such as fuel-efficient driving and electric vehicles.
Pictured: The government will be launching a scheme to help employees purchase annual bus passes. (Government of Jersey)
The government is also working on a ‘Workplace Mobility Strategy’. This will include a monthly payroll scheme that aims to support staff to travel by bus by arranging the up-front purchase of annual bus passes with LibertyBus, which will then be paid back by staff through monthly deductions from salaries.
This will be introduced by Spring for public service employees before being rolled out to local businesses by the autumn.
They will also be appointing a new Transport Policy Officer, tasked with improving the transport network, by Spring.
Pictured: A new eBike grants scheme could see the light of day.
The government is also planning to appoint a dedicated Cycling Development Officer by June, by which date they aim to have reviewed the eBike grants scheme. If “evidence supports it”, a new scheme could be run.
In addition, all pupils at the new Les Quennevais School should have access to safer cycling routes by the end of the year whilst the Eastern Cycle Network will be “accelerated” with priority being given to safer cycle access to schools.
Covered cycle parking should also be available at five new locations in town and the government says it will work with parishes to roll out cycle parking at bus stops in five rural parishes and at village hubs.
Pictured: Traffic-free events are in the works for the town centre.
To encourage walking, the government wants to reprioritise road space in the town centre and introduce a ‘car is a guest’ principle that would see a safe walking and cycling route runs across town to the St. Saviour schools.
The government will be working with the parish to organise traffic-free events in the town centre, trial changes to on-street parking and make improvements on the pavement and cycle access on Midvale Road.
Pictured: The government will trial new routes for buses leaving Liberation Station.
A bus priority scheme for buses heading west and east from Liberation Station will also be trialled by the end of 2020 to speed up journeys to the Esplanade and through the tunnel.
The government has pledged to make buses more accessible by making improvements to five bus stops where disabled access was poor and installing seven more shelters at bus stops by the end of the year.
The Avanchi card scheme will also be extended by spring to provide free bus travel to carers accompanying those who are unable to drive due to a disability and require assistance during their journey.
Pictured: Jersey Electricity wants to have 75 public charging points for cars by the end of the year. (Government of Jersey)
After extending the Eco Permit Scheme – which provides free parking for electric vehicles - the government has pledged to support Jersey Electricity in reaching its target of 75 public electric vehicle charging points and to install additional electric car priority parking spaces in public car parks.
They have also pledged to research the feasibility of sourcing and using green diesel in heavy, commercial fleet vehicles, plan the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars and design a pilot for the safe use of personal light electrical vehicles.
Pictured: The government wants to encourage car clubs, bike-share schemes and home delivery. (Government of Jersey)
The government has also vowed to support businesses to develop commercially viable eMobility trials such as car clubs, bike-share schemes and home delivery, and to initiate a “smart travel programme” using data to plan and improve the transport network, design new ways for people to access and share travel and transport solutions and explore the future roadmap for transport technologies.
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