Constable bids to save 'much loved' town feature
BBCA parish constable is asking the public to share their thoughts on the relocation of a "much loved" St Helier landmark.
The granite apple crusher on King Street is due to be moved to Howard Davis Park as part of a £2.5m Infrastructure Department project to revamp the area including resurfacing work.
The apple crusher was installed in 1978 to commemorate Jersey's historic cider-making heritage when King Street and Queen Street were originally pedestrianised.
St Helier Constable Inna Gardiner said the granite landmark was a "beautiful, colourful, much loved feature" which she does not want to see moved and asked the public to share their opinions on social media.
Gardiner said she encourages "government to listen to the public".
"If it's important for you, you need to explain your rationale and present us evidence why it needs to be removed.
"I love this feature. Just keep it how it is, don't spend the money."
She said there were lots of other places that needed the improvements.
Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Jonathan Renouf said there was a consultation on it but admitted he was "open to ideas on keeping it".
He said he had heard the concerns expressed and was listening to them.
He said the work around Broad Street was intended to enhance the area, while respecting its history and character.
"While the current approved design assumed the removal of the apple crusher, no final decision has been taken and we are committed to working constructively with the Parish and other stakeholders to understand the issues that have been raised," he said.
He said the proposals showing its removal were publicly available throughout the development of the scheme, and were displayed and discussed at a public exhibition over a year ago, and the plans published online have consistently shown the apple crusher removed.
However Renouf said his priority was to "listen, engage and consider the options carefully".
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