Politicians demand to see designs before voting on new hospital access

The politicians scrutinising plans for Jersey's new hospital have demanded to see detailed designs for the proposed access route. The Constable of St Helier is also calling for any green spaces or trees lost to the project to be replaced. It comes as the States is being asked to approve Westmount Road as the main access route to the Overdale site at its next meeting on 9 February.

Overdale was chosen as the preferred location for the new hospital by the States in November 2020.

In order to accommodate increased traffic volumes, the road up to it will need to be rebuilt, three nearby homes will need to be demolished, and the Jersey Bowls Club will need to move. The Future Hospital Review Panel wants see detailed drawings of the scheme, as well as information about how nearby properties will be affected.

Meanwhile, the Constable of St Helier is asking for guarantees that green spaces, community facilities - such as the bowling club - and parking spaces that are lost to the expanded road will be replaced. Constable Simon Crowcroft says he has had private assurances from the project team, but wants a States vote to formalise the commitment.

However, the Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, who is leading the Our Hospital project, says extensive analysis of all access options has been carried out, and Westmount Road remains the best option. He is urging States members to get behind the plans to avoid further delays to the project.

The States will debate the plans, plus the amendments from Scrutiny and the Constable of St Helier, on 9 February.