The public has been reacting to the government's vision to transform Broad Street and its surroundings to create a district called 'La Grande Rue'.

The idea is to have a pedestrian-friendly stretch of central St Helier that extends from Parade Gardens to the Royal Square.

This includes fully pedestrianising and repaving Broad Street and making changes to Library Place and Church Street, closing the roads to most traffic but allowing access for buses and taxis.

The vision is part of a initiative to invested in the public realm, with an annual budget of £2.5 million set aside specifically for enhancing public spaces.

Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan says it is 'both necessary to ensure it is fit for purpose, but also to provide a better-built environment and as a catalyst for growing the economy'.

The response so far has been mixed.

Former St Helier deputy, Jackie Hilton, has been campaigning for Broad Street to be reopened since it was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"St Helier is just a small town.  We already have a good pedestrian precinct in King Street and Queen Street and all the little roads off it that are pedestrianised.  

"I just see if as a complete waste of funds, and the government should think very, very carefully about what they are spending their money on."

Some people have taken to social media to share their views:

I totally despair for the future of this island under the guidance of the our mainly money wasting idiots masquerading as politicians!

I along with, I suspect, many other islanders, am appalled that in the current financial climate and many struggling with price increases, they have the temerity to insult islanders further by frittering away tax payers money on another hare brained scheme.

I also suspect the majority of us would like to see the road reopened and the disabled parking spaces reinstated and forget about trying to make the area more vibrant, make life easier for people to come to town and support St Helier retailers.

Enough is enough, it’s time for change, the PoSH’s current leader and a few others of his like should take their own advice and get on their bikes, before our town is completely ruined.

- Vanessa Le Blond, Facebook

Why not spend the £2 million on a massive revamp of fort regent get the place back to how it used to be and be a non profit scheme where all the profits are pumped back into island facilities?

Make something islanders can be proud of and draw in much needed tourism.

- Wayne Thornton, Facebook

It'd make zero sense to extend the Broad Street pedestrianised area (which is barely used) into Library Place and Church Street.

The congestion that'll cause elsewhere in town will be ridiculous.

Nothing will change in the PoSH if Crowcroft continues to run unopposed time and time again.

- Conner Clark, Facebook

Broad Street closed

The government says the plans follows feedback from other islanders that there is 'no vision' for that part town after Broad Street was closed to general traffic in 2020.

These people have welcomed efforts for a more pedestrian-friendly town centre:

Car free cities and town's are so much more pleasant than traffic jams. Why do people like Paris and Amsterdam and cities in more developed Nordic countries?

The government could of course return King and Queen Street to a 2 lane road and make a 50 cm pavement each side. It would make st Helier really charming.

Has anyone actually had their lives negatively impacted by not being able to drive down broad street?

Most people dream of tropical paradises and going to space.... Jersey residents know better and dream of driving up Broad Street.

- Ben Du Feu, Facebook

Think it’s a great idea. All town should be Pedestrianized.

Get an electric bus or bike in! Also good for the environment.

- Paul Carberry, Facebook

There's a small, very vocal and increasingly nasty minority of people who are very vocal against it, but around 70 to 80% of people surveyed in many countries say they are increasingly worried about climate change and biodiversity loss, and want to see much more being done about it.

- Nigel Jones, Facebook

Make broad street into a street market where locals can sell their produce/products with cheap pitch rental, good footfall and would liven up the area.

- Dominic Elliot, Facebook

Work is set to start next year and be completed by the spring of 2026.