Minister to research islanders' views on Broad Street closure

Monday 07 September 2020

The Infrastructure Minister has asked his Department to research islanders' views on the closure of Broad Street - after more than 1,300 islanders and numerous businesses voiced their disapproval.

Deputy Kevin Lewis' pledge to find out more about islanders' response to the traffic ban along the busy town road came this morning, as he issued his official response to the 'Reopen Broad Street to traffic' petition.

In his response, the Minister hit back at speculation that the closure on 'medical grounds' was a way of fast-tracking permanent pedestrianisation of the area.

"...I would like to be clear to counter any rumour, when it is proposed to change the use of a street permanently, I would always instigate a full and fair consultation process that seeks to balance views and needs of all stakeholders," he said.

Pictured: The Minister denied that the closure of Broad Street would be made permanent without consultation.

The Minister maintained that he really had been acting on the Medical Officer for Health's concerns about physical distancing along the road, in contrast to suggestions from the Chamber of Commerce.

"...By creating additional street space as this is one of the busiest areas and to reduce crowding pressure on the formal crossing points and provide an alternative walking route," he commented.

"It is accepted that while not everyone will avail themselves of this opportunity, some sections of the community are more sensitive to the requirement to physical distance than others and this is an important measure give confidence to their use of Town."

While Deputy Lewis refused to budge on the closure in the meantime, he did explain that "work is being undertaken to see if increased disabled parking can be offered temporarily nearby."

The Minister added that the measure is being kept "under review" and that: "To better understand the public’s attitudes to the benefits of closing this road for physical distancing during the pandemic, I have asked my Department to arrange for some research into Islanders' views."

The response will be little comfort for businesses in the area, who had complained the closure had caused accessibility issues and reduced footfall to such an extent that the zone was now like a "ghost town".

Others complained that speeding cyclists and skateboarders had taken over the zone, nearly causing accidents.

Not all, however, were negative.

A salesperson at high-end jeweller Aurum said: “We provide a personal, one-to-one service so the fact that we can talk to our customers without any background noise or fumes is a real bonus, although I recognise that other businesses rely on more passing trade than we do.”