£1.6M Western Bus Gate open

A £1.6million project to shave a couple of minutes off westbound bus journeys from St Helier is now complete.

The 'Western Bus Gate' means buses can drive along the Esplanade, instead of around the Castle Street roundabout.

The government says it will help to deliver 'more reliable and predictable journeys', whilst reducing delays.

Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said:

"I think it's around two minutes it will save on the bus journey, which you have to multiply by the number of people on the buses.

"It will also reduce congestion a little bit for cars, because buses will no longer be on the roads at the roundabout and so on.

"That fits into our strategy of trying to improve public transport in the island. We want more people to take the bus, and if people can see that their journeys are being prioritised through this gate out to the west, I think that's a good message to send to people that shows that we really value the bus service and we want people to use it."

A series of public-realm and infrastructure improvements have been made alongside this project, which include:

• New traffic lights
• Upgraded drainage infrastructure
• Modern low-energy lighting
• Better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists

The upgraded infrastructure has also been designed to support the ongoing development of the International Finance Centre area.

Kevin Hart, Director of LibertyBus, said:

"The completion of the Western Bus Gate is excellent news for bus passengers. Anyone who regularly travels through this area will know that it can be a significant pinch point, particularly during peak periods.

"The improved infrastructure and revised traffic signal phasing will help buses move through the junction more effectively, reducing delays and improving the reliability of services travelling west from St Helier.

"Reliable journey times are one of the most important factors for our customers. By giving buses greater priority and improving traffic flow, this scheme supports public transport and helps make travelling by bus a more attractive option.

"We are pleased to see the Government of Jersey’s continued investment in infrastructure that benefits public transport users and contributes to a more efficient and sustainable transport network for Jersey."