Elizabeth Terminal is being reconfigured to provide better facilities for departing ferry passengers. This work is part of a major programme of investment at both the Harbour and Airport, which will take several years to complete and will ultimately provide a comfortable and distinctly ‘Jersey’ travel experience for all passengers.
Elizabeth Terminal was designed in the 1970s and built in the 1980s and is no longer adequate for the increasing numbers of foot passengers now travelling to and from Jersey on high-speed ferries. At peak times the departures area becomes crowded, with inadequate facilities for people with disabilities after security.
The changes will create a departure lounge for passengers after they have cleared security, with The Shipyard providing refreshments, a children’s play area and facilities for passengers with disabilities. Passengers will also have access to more seating, and the adjoining outside area will allow better air flow through the terminal during peak summer periods.
New fences are already being constructed outside The Shipyard to enable this al fresco area to be used by passengers who have cleared security.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of May, in time for the summer season. Passengers will see temporary fencing inside the terminal building while the construction work is underway, during which time there will be less space for departing foot passengers, however Café Ube’s Grab and Go will remain open throughout the refurbishment.
Port Operations and Security Manager, Robin Fitzgerald, said: “We know the current facilities for foot passengers are not always comfortable during peak times, and we want to provide a departure lounge where our customers can sit down, relax and access refreshments before their ferry departs. This modification of the terminal will extend the area after security and create a pleasant waiting area where travellers can enjoy the amenities before boarding their ferries. “
The planned new ferry terminal will be part of a later phase of the redevelopment of Elizabeth Harbour. This refurbishment will significantly improve passengers’ experience in the interim.