Parish makes push to stop beach parking 'abuse'

Tuesday 09 August 2022

The parish of St. Brelade is to ask to take over responsibility for issuing beach parking permits to stop the western end of St. Brelade’s Bay resembling a car park on sunny days.

The parish has responsibility for policing permits, although they are issued by the Government.

The free permits only cover two portions of beaches, both in St. Brelade: St. Brelade’s Bay between the slipway beneath the church and a white line on the seawall, and Le Haule to the east of the slipway.

The permit is only valid when using a vehicle to transport a vessel to and from the beach, but it does not specify what type of craft and currently includes paddleboards and kayaks.

A vehicle does not have to tow a trailer.

Mr Jackson said he recognised that most people parking on the beach were responsible and legitimate, although some islanders appeared to be taking advantage of the system.

He said: “We’re well aware of this situation; it tends to be at its worst on a weekend when there is a spring tide - with full beach clear in the middle of the day - and the sun is out. 

“The is combination is relatively rare so any response needs to be proportionate.”

Pictured: Mr Jackson believes that people with paddleboards and other 'beach toys' should not be given a permit to park on the beach.

He added: “The permits are issued online by the Economic Development Minister [although administered by IHE] with little if anything by way of checks as to the nature of the need for a permit.

“The present situation is policed by our Parking Control Officer who does pick up on vehicles parked without permits. She works part time but is exasperated by the situation.”

Mr Jackson said he was currently drafting a proposal to the new minister [Deputy Kirsten Morel] that St. Brelade take over the issuing of these permits.

“We will charge a fee and require satisfactory proof of there being a need for a permit,” he said. “They won’t be done online but will require a physical application at the Parish Hall.

“I would think it unlikely that permits would be granted to paddle boards, kayaks or such ‘beach toys’ that can be easily carried down from the adjacent car parks.”

He said: “We’ve designed a draft application form, and this will be submitted to the Minister for approval. The reality is that any change will need to come in at the end of the year when existing permits expire.

I am highly supportive of this move by the parish. The permit system is being abused at the moment; parking on the beach should be for boat owners, not general leisure use. @mikejackson1952 https://t.co/d1lmgg9Cri

— Jonathan Renouf (@JonathanRenouf) August 9, 2022

Pictured: Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf supports the parish's plan.

"I would like to have got it in place earlier this year, but timelines were thrown by the election process.

“I appreciate this isn’t an overnight solution, but I hope my proposals will go in some way to mitigating the problem we have without stopping genuine users.”

A Government spokesman confirmed that there was no cap on the number of permits issued and it covered unloading paddleboards and kayaks, as well as boats and jetskis.

In response to the Constable's suggestion, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: “I understand the concerns that parishioners and the Connétable have raised and I look forward to working with him to determine how best to resolve the challenges around permits for parking on beaches.

"While justification for beach parking is often valid, the number of vehicles should not be at the expense of the enjoyment of beaches by all.

"Officers from both the Parish of St Brelade and the Government will be meeting next month and I am confident that we will find a suitable way forward.”