Residents surrounding a St Helier junction have criticised plans to close it during school drop-off and collection times.
Clarence Junction – which is intersected by Pleasant Street, Grosvenor Street, and College Hill at the entrance to Victoria College – will be closed on a trial basis for one hour either side of the school day from next month, the Infrastructure and Environment Department has confirmed.
However, the 12 month trial, which is set to start in May half-term, has caused concern among residents of the area due to levels of traffic congestion it may cause.
Forming part of the Government’s ‘Safer Routes to Schools’ project, the trial aims to make the location safer for schoolchildren and commuters.
Plans to pedestrianise the junction, which is used by 365 cars and 383 pedestrians every school morning, were initially designed to close it on a permanent basis.
But following a meeting with residents, the Infrastructure Department introduced a revised scheme “in collaboration with Victoria College and Victoria College Prep” which will see the junction close from 08:00-09:00 and 14:45-15:45 each weekday.
🔍 The Clarence Road pedestrian crossing trial at VCP is also being reviewed based on public feedback.
— Infrastructure and Environment (@GovJsyIE) April 7, 2025
⏰ A timed scheme is being introduced with Victoria College and VCP more details to follow.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views.
A residents group has criticised the scheme altogether, claiming it will make the area “less safe” at peak times.
A group spokesperson said: “Traffic is at a standstill at drop-off and collection times.
“Fewer cars on the road will mean faster moving traffic at peak times, making the area less safe.
“Many students will now need to cross additional roads, without crossings, just so they can use the new walkway, which will be a shared with cyclists.”
“Simply leaving for work in the morning will be a challenge”
The residents said leaving their area on any school day takes up to an hour – a congestion issue which they say will “not be helped” by diverted traffic from Clarence Junction.
The spokesperson explained: “The vast majority of people, including parents, who come down College Hill, head down Grosvenor Street. The same can be said for Pleasant Street onto Clarence Road.
“With all these additional vehicles being forced to go via Don Road, along with all of the other roadworks in the area, traffic will be even more insane than it already is.
“We were grateful for the meeting [with Ministers] and a compromise was suggested which everyone accepted. Although, we would prefer the scheme was scrapped all together.”
The Infrastructure Department confirmed the trial will only begin once Rouge Bouillon has been safely re-opened.
It forms one aspect of proposed changes to the Bagatelle and Clarence Road area until 2026, as part of the Government’s Common Strategic Policy.
The residents spokesperson added: “In terms of simply accessing our properties and parking, it’s a huge inconvenience to residents.
“Simply leaving for work in the morning will be a challenge.”