TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
VELOSPORT JERSEY APPLICATION TO HOLD THE
TOWN CRITERIUM (CYCLE RACE) 2010
Purpose of the Report
To obtain the approval of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services in respect of road closures and traffic restrictions for the purpose of holding the Town Criterium (Cycle Race) 2010 on Sunday 30th May 2010.
In addition, to enable an instruction to be sent to the Law Draftsman requesting preparation of an Order under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
Background
Velosport Jersey (the Promoter) has submitted details of its proposed road closures and traffic restrictions to enable a town cycle race. The event is enabled by Order of the Transport and Technical Services Minister under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
After a successful inaugural event in 2009 the Promoter is again looking to hold the Town Criterium over the same Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend. As per last year the proposal is to hold the event with the support of the Jersey Cycling Association (the representative body of cycle racing in Jersey that sets the selection criteria and teams for the Island Games etc.) which includes the Caesarean Cycle Club and as such will have further management and marshalling support.
The event has the support of the Connétable of St Helier and Economic Development (non financial). The Promoter has also consulted and is co-ordinating with the Emergency Services, TTS Parking Control, Connex and the Taxi Drivers Association.
Due to the significance and duration of necessary road closures, as well as the need to make certain routes two way, it is proposed that the event be covered by an Order under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
Traffic Management (see also Promoter’s Traffic Management Plan)
The proposed race involves sealing off the town centre and surrounding roads to vehicular traffic between 11.30am and 6.15pm on Sunday 30 May 2010, with the first race starting at 11.45am and the last race finishing around 6.05pm (the additional time being used for enabling and clearing work). The course circuit starts at the Town Hall, going around the following roads in a clockwise direction:
Charing Cross, York Street, Union Street, Burrard Street, Halkett Place, Hill Street, Mulcaster Street, Conway Street, Broad Street
Parking will be suspended along these roads between 8am until 6pm.
In addition to the closure of roads forming the immediate course, the following roads leading on to the course will have restricted access and will therefore need to be made two-way or reversed to facilitate access to premises:
Seale Street, The Parade, Lempriere Street, Dumaresq Street, Le Geyt Street, New Street, Cattle Street, Commercial Street
Parking suspension will be required along The Parade from Union Street to Cannon Street from 2pm on Saturday 29 May until 7pm on Sunday 30 May 2010 to provide competitors with a preparation area.
Discussion / Impact of the Race
The event will have the following outline impacts on the Town Centre:
- Pedestrian Access: All footpaths adjacent to and within the course will remain open to pedestrians / spectators at all times. However pedestrians will be restricted to crossing the course at designated marshal points only, with crossing being permitted only when deemed clear and safe (approximately every three minutes during racing). In addition there will be four race break points of about 15 minutes (no more than about 45 minutes apart).
- Access to Residences: Vehicles within the race area will be prevented from leaving and entering between 11am and 6pm (except by arrangement with the Promoter). Residential premises within the race area and those in the immediately outlying vicinity have been leafleted regarding the event, with no adverse comments having been received by the Promoter to date.
- Access to Shops, Cafes & Pubs: The majority of shops will be closed on a Sunday although at least one convenience store (Spar on the corner of New Street / Union Street) will have restricted vehicular access. Equally there are a number of cafes and pubs within the race area which may find that the restricted access adversely affects business. On the other hand many are situated along the course and in fact may experience positive business as a result of the race. All commercial premises within the race area have been written to regarding the event, with no adverse comments having been received by the Promoter to date.
- Access to the Pomme d’Or & Royal Yacht Hotels: The Promoter has personally visited each establishment. Although the Promoter is awaiting written confirmation, both the General Manager of the Royal Yacht and Pomme d’Or have given their verbal support and co-operation for the event.
- Access to the Town and St Paul’s Church: Both churches have been contacted and arrangements put in place to ensure morning and evening access to services.
- Access to Private Car Parks: A number of large private car parks particularly those with entrances on Commercial Street will have restricted access although vehicle movement will be permitted by arrangement with the Promoter.
- Emergency Services: Primary response routes are not included among the proposed road closures with the main issue being access to the town centre. Should emergency access be required however, a command and control centre will be in place and racing quickly stopped.
- Bus Service: Although the summer timetable is due to commence on 30 May impact on the bus service should be minor. However, services that normally return to Liberation Station via Green Street / Hill Street etc. (No. 1, 2, 3 & Green Explorer) will instead return directly via the Tunnel missing a small number of stops. In addition the No.5 which normally goes along Broad Street / The Parade / Saville Street will instead access Rouge Bouillon via West Park. Any changes to services will be advertised on relevant routes in advance.
- Taxi Rank: The taxi rank at Weighbridge Place will be closed between 11am and 6pm, although it is proposed that an alternative rank be set up along the Esplanade opposite Liberation Station with taxis able to turn in the width of the road. Whilst it is possible to keep Library Place taxi rank open with access and egress via New Street (using Marshal support at the junction of New Street / Union Street) current indications are that this is considered impractical by the Taxi Driver Association. Any changes to the location of taxi ranks will be advertised at current sites in advance.
- Traffic: The proposed road closures to enable the event are clearly significant, in particular the closure of Union Street and Hill Street. However the Ring Road itself will remain open throughout the event. Also, being a ‘non trading day’ traffic levels within the town centre are likely to be lower than normal (typically 20% to 30% down). In general the same traffic management in 2009 appeared to work well.
The Promoter has agreed to advertise road closures and traffic management measures along with changes to public transport and taxi ranks in advance in the JEP.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve in principal the Town Criterium (Cycle Race) 2010 and the preparation of an Order under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
Reason(s) for Decision
The proposed road closures and associated traffic management are reasonable and justified in the light of the positive benefits to the Island.
Resource Implications
TTS Officer and Law Draftsmen’s time.
Action Required
To forward a copy of the Ministerial Decision along with an Instructing Memorandum and the Promoter’s Application to the Law Draftsman.
Written by: | Carl Dodd – Streetworks Manager |
Approved by: | Chris Sampson – Director, Municipal Services |
Attachments: | Promoter’s Traffic Management Plan |
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