Plans submitted to demolish storm-damaged 1940s building

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Plans have been submitted to demolish the building which housed the last manually-operated telephone exchange in Jersey.

JT’s disused West Exchange in St Ouen could be knocked down due to severe storm damage.

The two-story flat-roofed building on La Grande Route de St Ouen was originally constructed in 1948.

It was previously home to JT's manual telephone exchange, where a switchboard was operated by employees who used electrical cords or switches to establish the connections needed for telephone calls. 

However, the original use for the exchange building became redundant in 1976 as the island's phone system went automatic. 

Pictured: It was "goodbye" to the "hello girls" at the West Telephone Exchange in February 1976 when the last manually-operated telephone exchange in the island went automatic.

The building was subsequently turned into a training centre for JT. 

However, it has not been used for this purpose for some time due to its remote location and has become obsolete.

In November, Storm Ciarán tore off the building's roof and caused extensive water damage inside, with the cost of repairs outweighing the cost of demolition.

Pictured: Storm damage to the West Exchange Building. 

The planning application, prepared by Elliot Design Partnership, stated that the building lacks the distinctive pitched roof characteristic of other listed exchange buildings and that it should be demolished. 

The application also mentions that the demolition would allow better access for large vehicles to an important building to the rear.

This timber-clad structure houses major telecom infrastructure that requires regular monitoring and maintenance.

To read the application in full click HERE.