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SHG is pleased to announce that Field Road is scheduled to reopen to vehicular traffic and pedestrians from 13:00 today, 28 November 2024.
Whilst the road will be open to the public, it’s important to note that some construction work, particularly the installation of gabions, will continue. This will necessitate a 300-metre section of the road to be restricted to a single-lane carriageway. To ensure the safety of all road users, the contractor will implement appropriate traffic management measures, including signage and traffic control. Road users are advised to adhere to these measures and exercise caution when travelling on this section of the road.
Important reminders for road users:
- The speed limit on Field Road remains at 15mph.
- Larger vehicles should exercise caution when passing each other, especially on the single-lane section.
- Please familiarise yourself with the new road layout and adhere to lane markings.
The Field Road project is part of the £30m Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), funded by the UK Government.
#StHelena #FieldRoadUpdate #EffectiveInfrastructure
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St Helena Government (SHG) recently announced that a new SHG-operated public bus service will commence on Sunday 01 December 2024. This decision comes after consideration of policy options for public transport services for the island and is intended to be for an interim period of up to five years.
The new service will utilise the pre-March 2024 timetables thus resuming the late night travel, journeys to the airport at weekends and reinstating other daytime journeys that had ceased at the end of February 2024. The updated timetables can be accessed on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
From 01 December, the routes and buses will no longer be identified by letters such as, A, B, C and D, but rather by route numbers, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Two of the new buses which have been received will have LED displays to indicate route number and destination. Two additional new buses will arrive on the next calling of the MV Karoline. In the interim, two other buses from the SHG transport fleet will be used until the new ones become operational. LED displays will only be fitted to the new buses, however, the others will have route numbers displayed.
To ensure a sustainable public transport bus service into the future, ticket costs for ‘hop on, hop off’ journeys will be as follows:
Single journeys of up to 3 miles – £2.45
Single journeys of 3 to 6 miles – £3.15
Single journeys of over 6 miles – £3.60
Tickets for children up to and including 10 years of age will be:
Single journeys of up to 3 miles – £1.20
Single journeys of 3 to 6 miles – £1.50
Single journeys of over 6 miles – £1.80
All customers who use the ‘hop on’ hop off’ services are asked to ensure that they take a ticket when paying for their journey.
SHG extends its sincere thanks once again to all contractors who have contributed to the continuity of public bus services since March 2024, with special recognition to Colin’s Garage and Joshua’s Taxis for their longstanding commitment in providing transport services for the community since 2003 and 2012 respectively.
#StHelena #PublicBusService #EffectiveEfficientAndAccountablePublicSector
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The public are advised that the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all members of the public from 07:00 on Saturday, 30 November 2024, due to the arrival of the cruise ship MV Azamara Quest. This area will remain closed until the vessel has left the port.
Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and is limited only to those who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.
Boat owners are also advised that during this time, no maintenance work will be permitted to be carried out on their vessel while it remains on the wharf.
SHG
28 November 2024
During the week commencing Monday 18 November, St Helena schools participated in UK Parliament Week, which is run by the Speakers Office in the United Kingdom each year in order to raise awareness about what Parliament is, what it does and how young people can get involved.
In the lead up to UK Parliament Week, schools received a UK Parliament Activity Pack, from the Speaker’s Office in the UK, along with a ‘Speaker’ teddy bear. “Mr. Speaker”, the teddy bear, travelled between schools, with activities shared on social media by the Governor’s Office.
As the Children’s Champion, Councillor Gillian Brooks took this opportunity to lead a programme to educate young people about how the St Helena Legislative Council and new Ministerial system operate, and how these align with the UK Parliament. This aimed to inspire their interest in legislative proceedings, politics and democracy given the impact these have on all of our lives, whilst encouraging them to engage with the St Helena Legislative Council.
As part of the programme, Councillors Gillian Brooks and Robert Midwinter visited all of the schools. Councillor Dr Corinda Essex attended and spoke at visits to the Council Chamber by two of the primary schools and at the Pilling Primary School assembly; and Councillor Betty Knipe attended a Harford Primary School assembly. The Legislative Council would like to thank teachers and students for their engagement during these sessions.
Councillor Gillian Brooks, Children’s Champion, commented:
“It is always wonderful to see how engaged our young people are when it comes to topics such as how the parliamentary system works in St Helena, and what can be done to improve the lives of people living on the island. It was therefore a delight to be able to engage with all of the schools during UK Parliament Week.”
Photos
St Pauls Primary learners visiting the Legislative Council Chamber
Councillors Gillian Brooks, Robert Midwinter and Dr Corinda Essex engaging with learners in the Council Chamber
#StHelena #ParliamentWeek #YouthParliament
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His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE welcomed over 270 guests to the annual King’s Birthday Party (KBP) held on Friday 15 November 2024 at Plantation House. The event brought together a diverse range of community members, including state award recipients and elected officials, to celebrate the island’s rich traditions and strong connection to the United Kingdom.
Governor Nigel Phillips commented:
“It is always a pleasure to host the King’s Birthday Party. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year. As ever, they are numerous. But perhaps the biggest achievement is that in a world increasingly beset by challenge, St Helena remains a bastion of tolerance and good neighbourliness. It must be the endeavour of us all to ensure it remains so. Beyond this, the wonderful levels of attendance demonstrate the affection with which the Crown is held. In closing, I know all the guests would join me in repeating our thanks to those whose efforts made the event such a success. Happy Birthday Your Majesty!”
Gallery
St Helena Government (SHG) today announced a new policy aimed at clarifying health criteria for individuals traveling to and residing on the island. The policy is designed to improve the island’s standard of living and ensure its continued appeal as a desirable place to live, work, and visit.
Key Policy Points:
- Individuals in full-time, permanent employment and permanently residing on St Helena are eligible for health care on the same terms as local residents. This includes access to medical referrals to South Africa, subject to valid travel documentation and visa requirements.
- Persons on fixed-term contracts and not permanently residing on the island are entitled to local health care at standard rates. Overseas medical treatment will not be provided unless covered by the employer or employee, and valid travel documentation is required.
- All individuals arriving to work on St Helena must undergo an initial health assessment within four weeks of arrival. This includes a chest X-ray for those coming from or having resided in countries identified by the World Health Organization as high-burden for tuberculosis.
- Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees comply with pre-arrival health checks and other relevant criteria.
- Non-compliance with the policy may result in refusal of entry, revocation of work permits, and potential legal action against employers.
The policy statement can be viewed on the SHG website here https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/SHG-Policy-Statement-on-Medical-Costs.
SHG is committed to implementing this policy transparently and fairly, ensuring the health and well-being of all residents and temporary residents on island. By clarifying health criteria, SHG aims to attract and retain skilled individuals while safeguarding the island’s healthcare resources.
#StHelena #MedicalCostPolicy #PermanentandTemporaryResidents
The cruise ship Azamara Quest is scheduled to arrive in St Helena at 07:30 on Saturday 30 November 2024 carrying 570 passengers and 398 crew. There is a wide range of nationalities on-board, with the main nationalities being Australian, Canadian, British and American.
Approximately half the passengers are booked on island tours. Tours will depart at 09:00 from the Jamestown Wharf.
It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies: Euros, Dollars and GBP. Currency rate of exchange information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.
The Azamara Quest is expected to depart St Helena around 18:00 the same day.
Temporary One Way Traffic System
The public are advised that a temporary one-way system will be in place in the direction of Gordon’s Post towards Hutts Gate along Tomb Road during the visit of the cruise ship from 09:00 to 15:00.
Traffic wishing to travel in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordon’s Post via The Dungeon, as per the map below:
The one-way system will be clearly signed and will be removed when no longer required.
The one-way system has been put in place to safely manage traffic and ease congestion, given the anticipated increased traffic volumes due to cruise ship visits. This process will operate on the same basis as on previous occasions and is likely to be a regular feature during any future cruise ship visits.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding.
We would like to correct a previous statement made regarding the reopening of Field Road. It was previously stated that cycling on Field Road is prohibited. This information is incorrect.
According to Regulation 73 of the Road Traffic Regulations, cycling is permitted on Field Road. Cycling is only prohibited in the following specific areas:
- Longwood Road: between Two Gun Saddle and the Briars
- Side Path and Napoleon Street: between the Briars and Main Street
- Half Tree Hollow and Ladder Hill: between the Salvation Army Hall and China Lane
- “W” Road: between Francis Plain Ridge Gate and White Gate
We apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
#StHelena #FieldRoadUpdate #EffectiveInfrastructure
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The Emergency Planning Department is seeking residents on-island who can translate languages other than English. These persons would be part of a volunteer group ready to assist in emergencies involving visitors with limited English.
To register interest please contact the Acting Head of Emergency Planning, Anel O’Bey, via email through anel.obey@helanta.co.sh or by telephone on 25052 with your name, contact details and the languages you speak.
St Helena Government (SHG) recently published the draft Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Bill, if enacted into law by the Legislative Council, would form the basis for the creation of a Publically Accessible Register of Beneficial Ownership (PARBO) for companies registered on St Helena.
A public drop-in session scheduled for tomorrow, 22 November, at the Economic Development Office in the Castle has been postponed to next Friday 29 November 2024 from 12:30 to 16:00.
The draft Bill is accessible at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/bills-for-an-ordinance/. SHG has published an explanatory note, outlining the background, rationale, impacts, and implications of the policy. The explanatory note welcomes feedback on the Bill, so that it can be appropriately debated by Legislative Council in the formal sitting next month. The explanatory note can be accessed on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Explanatory-information-note_Companies-Amendment-Bill-2024.