France Bridge Will Have To Overcome Hurdles

A bridge or tunnel connecting Jersey with the continent would have many hurdles to overcome before it becomes a serious consideration, according to the Sustainable Economic Development Minister.

A link between the island and France would boost Jersey's economic output, without increasing the population.

Deputy Kirsten Morel says the idea is part of a wider discussion of people working in Jersey but living in, and commuting from, France.

"One of the actions in that strategy is to try and answer the question if it is possible to work in Jersey but live in France, so naturally that has led to conversations about a bridge.

"But in the first instance that commuting question begins with ferries, so can French people work here and live on the continent and travel by ferry?"

A study revealed that the island would need a population of 150,000 by 2040 just to maintain living standards as they are today.

That's because of the island's ageing population, which will put extra pressure on the health system.

"One of the huge challenges we have over the coming years is finding the economic growth that we will need to pay for the healthcare we will need to pay for by 2040, but without growing the population significantly.

"One of the ways of doing that would be for people to be living in France but working here in the island, which would help us grow the economy without more migration."

But, Deputy Kirsten Morel says a lot of questions have to be answered before can move into a feasibility stage.

"This is something I call a 'fail-fast' project, so, for instance, we would need the French Authorities to work with us on commuting from France, we would absolutely need them on-side.

"If they aren't then we quickly pack away the project, put it to one side and look at it again in a generation's time."

Freedom of movement between the EU and Britain came to an end in 2020 after the country left the bloc.

Deputy Morel admits this will be a challenge that will need to overcome, but believes the relationship between the EU and the UK will be much closer in a decade's time.

"That is part of this whole 'fail-fast' project, this idea that we need to look at the barriers and if any are insurmountable then it goes in the bin.

"What I don't want us to do is spend lots of time on a project that isn't going to go forward."

The minister tells Channel 103 that any project of this type will face its biggest challenge after questions of how it would work have been answered.

"A real and thorough cost-benefit analysis would cost hundreds of thousands if not millions of pounds.

"So we wouldn't want to spend any of that money without knowing that the French Authorities are on side, and travel between the EU and Britain isn't a problem."