The new Railway walk? St Peter's Valley cycle path opens

Wednesday 05 October 2016

Cyclists received a piece of 'wheelie' good news this week, as a new track was opened in St Peter’s Valley.

Officially launched by Environment Minister, Steve Luce, the path spans St Peter and St Lawrence, running from Le Mont Fallu to Tesson Mill.

This is just stage one, however, of a three pronged plan to bring greater safety and accessibility to pedestrians and cyclists via a two mile long path. Phase two will join Le Mont Fallu to Le Mont de Louannes, while phase three will end at La Dimerie, resulting in a path providing an off main road route from town to St Mary.

With an aim to provide greater accessibility, new paths will also be created with connections to bus stops and other woodland walkways.

Given the path traversed land owned by a number of residents and organisations, work has been complex, but efforts have been made to ensure that the path’s aesthetic fits the valley’s setting.

According to information submitted alongside the application, St Peter’s Valley holds the second worst accident record of any rural road in Jersey.

Deputy Eddie Noel, Minister for Infrastructure, commented: “Not only does this provide a much needed safe route for pedestrians and cyclists, but it also blends in to the countryside so well it looks like it could have been there for years.

“Once fully completed, this path will open up a central corridor through to the North Coast that will be a huge asset, not just for tourists, but also for locals. I see it like a north / south version of the railway walk.”

Melanie Pigeon, a St Peter resident and avid cyclist and dog walker, described the path as a “welcome addition to the area”. She added: “It will definitely bring more peace of mind for dog walkers in the area to have a safer route through the Valley.”

The cycle track, whose construction aligns with the Sustainable Transport Policy aiming to double the number of cycle trips into St Helier, is expected to reach completion by Spring 2018.