New Trees to Be Planted in St Helier as Part of Town Centre Improvements

Work to make parts of St Helier more attractive and pedestrian-friendly is set to begin in the coming weeks with the planting of new trees in the town centre.

The Government of Jersey said its infrastructure department will plant a number of trees along Broad Street and near the Western Bus Gate as part of ongoing efforts to improve the public environment.

Existing trees in the area will also be assessed to see whether changes can be made to improve their growing conditions.

Andy Jehan, the island’s Infrastructure Minister and Constable of St Helier, said the introduction of semi-mature trees would bring “instant greenery” to the busy town centre.

Eight trees are due to be planted in the ground along Broad Street and on the Esplanade using engineered tree cell systems. These are designed to create space for soil beneath the pavement, allowing tree roots to grow without damaging surrounding infrastructure.

Jehan said the system would help ensure the trees remain healthy and sustainable in an urban setting.

Efforts to create a more vibrant town centre in St Helier have been a long-standing government goal. A strategy published in 2021 placed an emphasis on greener public areas, improved pedestrian routes and making the capital more appealing for residents and visitors.

Since then, improvements have already been made to the crossing between King Street and New Street, where new paving has been installed.

Similar work is continuing on Broad Street as part of a £2.5m redevelopment that includes granite paving, new street furniture and landscaping.

The project has attracted mixed reactions from the public, but the addition of trees is being presented as the latest step in transforming the area into a greener and more welcoming space for pedestrians.