Final week of Harbour Master Plan consultation

There is less than a week left for Islanders to have their say on the Harbour Master Plan, which proposes to transform St Helier Harbour and expand its capacity to manage the Island’s growing freight requirements.

Ports of Jersey launched two surveys on 27 September, which ask Islanders what they think of the proposed changes at Elizabeth Harbour, and how they feel about the whole harbour area. Their responses will inform the Harbour Master Plan proposals and the planning application for Elizabeth Harbour. The consultation is due to end this Sunday October 23.

More than 350 Islanders have so far responded, and more than 150 people have attended the public drop-in sessions. Ports of Jersey has also held stakeholder briefings and meetings to gauge the views of those who use the harbour regularly.

When responding to the surveys, Islanders have been commenting on parking and traffic around the harbour, public transport to the terminal, catering in the terminal building, ferry schedules, and the impact of any changes on boat-owners. Some have asked for further details on future Master Plan projects, which will be developed in the later stages of the Plan.

Consultation

For those who are not able to complete the surveys online, information booklets and paper surveys can be collected from parish halls, the customer relations desk at Jersey Airport, or the reception desk at Maritime House.

Paper surveys should be completed by Sunday 23 October and posted back to: Harbour Master Plan, Maritime House, Route du Port Elizabeth, St Helier, JE1 1HB. Alternatively, they can be delivered to Maritime House or the Customer Relations desk at the airport.

Harbour Master Plan – summary 

The Harbour Master Plan is proposing to increase the harbour’s capacity for managing freight, and to modernise facilities which have developed piecemeal over many centuries.

It proposes to start with the redevelopment of Elizabeth Harbour, by moving the crane operation from New North Quay to an expanded facility at Elizabeth Harbour. This will safeguard the Island’s lifeline for vital supplies such as food, medicines, mail and clothing.

This new combined area will also improve efficiency and free up space at New North Quay for later in the Master Plan.

The Elizabeth Terminal building will be replaced, to improve the layout of the ferry access, separate freight from passengers and enhance travellers’ experience of travelling to and from the Island.