From Pierre Horsfall.
I AM prompted to write by the letter from Roger Bale (JEP, 24 April). While I think that this is a decision for the States rather than using the blunt instrument of a referendum which takes no account of minority interests, I entirely agree with him that if Jersey was on Central European Time there would be significant advantages, in particular more daylight in the waking hours and a reduction in energy consumption.
However, bearing in mind that local time in Jersey would be one hour ahead of the UK, there are a number of questions to be answered before those participating in a States decision or a referendum can arrive at a balanced decision. While there may be others, here are a few that come to mind.
How do people feel about all television programmes starting an hour later? Programmes watched by children will start and finish an hour later. News at Ten will be News at Eleven. Many prime time programmes will start at ten instead of nine, Match Of The Day will start at 11.30, and go on to the early hours, etc.
Will there be any effect on business if contact is lost with key people for an hour in the morning and in the evening?
What is the effect on business of all the early morning London flights arriving one hour later at around 10.45 to 11.15?
What is the effect in terms of noise and cost of late evening flights both leaving and arriving one hour later? On the face of it, the Airport will have to stay open until after ten.
What is the effect on postal deliveries if the mail plane lands one hour later? A similar question can be asked regarding the newspaper plane.
Will there be any delivery problems in the town if freight, including fresh food, that arrives on the early morning cargo boats, gets in one hour later than at present?
The answer to some of these questions may be that they are not a problem but I believe that they all deserve a clear answer before any decision is made.
This matter was examined some years ago when it was proposed by Senator Corrie Stein. My opinion has not changed; it would be good to be on Central European Time but this is only practical when the UK changes too. La Vallette, Rue au Blancq, Grouville.
Central European Time
From Pierre Horsfall.
I AM prompted to write by the letter from Roger Bale (JEP, 24 April). While I think that this is a decision for the States rather than using the blunt instrument of a referendum which takes no account of minority interests, I entirely agree with him that if Jersey was on Central European Time there would be significant advantages, in particular more daylight in the waking hours and a reduction in energy consumption.
However, bearing in mind that local time in Jersey would be one hour ahead of the UK, there are a number of questions to be answered before those participating in a States decision or a referendum can arrive at a balanced decision. While there may be others, here are a few that come to mind.
How do people feel about all television programmes starting an hour later? Programmes watched by children will start and finish an hour later. News at Ten will be News at Eleven. Many prime time programmes will start at ten instead of nine, Match Of The Day will start at 11.30, and go on to the early hours, etc.
Will there be any effect on business if contact is lost with key people for an hour in the morning and in the evening?
What is the effect on business of all the early morning London flights arriving one hour later at around 10.45 to 11.15?
What is the effect in terms of noise and cost of late evening flights both leaving and arriving one hour later? On the face of it, the Airport will have to stay open until after ten.
What is the effect on postal deliveries if the mail plane lands one hour later? A similar question can be asked regarding the newspaper plane.
Will there be any delivery problems in the town if freight, including fresh food, that arrives on the early morning cargo boats, gets in one hour later than at present?
The answer to some of these questions may be that they are not a problem but I believe that they all deserve a clear answer before any decision is made.
This matter was examined some years ago when it was proposed by Senator Corrie Stein. My opinion has not changed; it would be good to be on Central European Time but this is only practical when the UK changes too.
La Vallette, Rue au Blancq, Grouville.
Article posted on 14th May, 2008 - 2.21pm