Novel consultation lacks context

Environment & Infrastructure is trialling what could be a powerful new tool to do that, especially to a generation more used to electronic communication than paper surveys.

Called Novoville, it runs through either Facebook Messenger or a standalone chat window on mobiles or desktops.

And in selecting perceptions of road safety, the committee has hit on a divisive topic which affects everyone – one that everyone also has a view on.

But it comes across as a consultation that is too indiscriminate with no obvious destination. Perhaps they are hoping the monkey bashing a typewriter theory works out – that a story will eventually emerge.

What does the committee hope to achieve, and how will it demonstrate that people who have taken time out to take part have had their voice heard can see a result of that?

It has not been explicit about the context, but E&I has to report back to the States on how effective the 2014 transport strategy has been by the end of the year. In April we learnt that one of the central tools of that, first registration duty, has failed to change consumer behaviour. There has been no published evidence yet about whether it has achieved a change in travel habits, a move from motorised transport to walking or cycling.

Road safety is also central to that strategy, as is it to another initiative the committee is currently out to consultation on – introducing a host of new 25mph zones. There is a feeling of the cart coming before the horse on that, of trying to gather evidence to support a policy change in the throws of it happening.

Novoville will no doubt find its uses with other States initiatives, it is quick and simple to use, it would be a shame if this consultation damaged the public’s confidence or inclination to take part.

E&I is right that accident statistics alone do not tell the whole story – there is plenty that goes unrecorded. But it is not enough simply to collect a stack of additional information and data – the test will be how that is used.