From Ben Sandeman.
FIRSTLY, as a Jersey resident returning to the island for six months, I was delighted to see that all the CI Skateboard Association’s hard work had paid off.
Finally Jersey had something resembling a skatepark. Having been down to skateboard over the Christmas break it was easy to see that the park is a big hit with children as well as adults, giving skateboarders, BMXers and rollerbladers somewhere to practice their sport.
However I am glad to see the short-sightedness of a States department hasn’t let proceedings run smoothly for long. A perimeter fence restricting access for ambulances, restricting parking leaving only three public spaces and creating private spaces (just what Jersey needs) which are yours for £100 a month has been planned, hence why I am writing this letter.
Persons using the park will be forced to use the same road on foot as large goods vehicles to enter and exit the park – what a great situation to put children in. I’m glad the Harbours department is thinking for both parties involved here. So if you don’t happen to have £100 a month to pay for your private parking space just ten seconds walk from the skatepark, then you will be forced to park elsewhere. Sand Street or Pier Road, both quite a distance from the park with many roads to cross, sound perfect.
I can’t see why anybody could think this proposal is a good idea, restricting already overcrowded parking for the skatepark and Maritime Museum so the Harbours department can control the area and make a quick buck or two.
Hundreds of thousands have been spent creating this recreational facility. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot and waste that money by cutting parking to three spaces and restricting access to the place. Or is that still the way things are done here?
5 La Retraite,
Rue de Trachy,
St Helier.
