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A controversial trial period for a one-way system on a St Helier road has been postponed for the third time – meaning it has now been delayed over four months.
The scheme was due to make St John's Road one-way, first on a trial basis and then, depending on feedback, for the long term.
Just two days ago, the Government issued a reminder that the changes would commence on Monday 4 December.
However, the start date has now been delayed the until next year.
This is due to "unforeseen supply and labour issues", as well as resources being used to clean up after Storm Ciarán.
The Government added that it is working with the Parish of St Helier to find a new start date for the scheme, and apologised for the inconvenience caused.
The plans provide for St John's Road to be made a one-way street between the roundabout and the crossing with Parade Road, with southbound traffic diverted onto Parade Road, Tower Road, and Westmount Road.
Pictured: The trial is planned around a one-way system on the lower section of St John's Road, with traffic diverted onto Parade Road.
The ambition is to provide "a safer and more liveable urban environment", Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet said.
But when the plans were published, they were met with criticism, with a senior Government transport planner distributing leaflets in a private capacity to residents in the area, in which he raised concerns about increased traffic on Parade Road – which is home to a care home and a primary school.
Meanwhile, an e-petition opposing the scheme collected over 1,000 signatures.
Its creator, William Moir, pointed to increased exhaust fumes and the risk of an accident as key concerns.
In response, Deputy Binet said it was "only a three-month trial" which would be used to collect data on the scheme.
Plans to make the lower section of St John's Road one-way were first announced on Monday 26 June. It was at the time scheduled to be in place by the start of autumn term.
Before the end of June, a senior transport planner shared his concerns about the scheme in a leaflet sent to residents, and an e-petition opposing the scheme was launched.
Following the criticism, on Friday 4 August, the trial was postponed to after October half-term.
The scheme did not start after October half-term.
On Wednesday 15 November, Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet responded to the petition, saying the scheme was just a three-month trial and would serve to gather data. The 4 December was mentioned as a start date.
On Tuesday 28 November, the Government issued an update, complete with maps of the roadworks, saying that the trial would start next Monday 4 December and gave dates for temporary road closures, when the scheme was due to be installed.
Today, the scheme was postponed again until the start of the new year, with no exact date set yet.
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