TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
THE CLASSIC AND VINTAGE MOTOR RACING CLUB’S APPLICATION
TO HOLD THE FESTIVAL OF MOTORING 2013
Purpose of the Report
To obtain a Ministerial Decision regarding approval of road closures and traffic restrictions for the purpose of holding the Jersey Festival of Motoring racing events between Friday 07 June and Sunday 09 June 2013.
In addition, to enable an instruction to be sent to the Law Draftsman requesting preparation of an Order under Article 2 of the Motor Vehicle Races (Jersey) Law 1946 and Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985 (in relation to the Activity Arena).
Background
The Classic and Vintage Motor Racing Club (the Promoter) has submitted details of its proposed events for this year’s Festival of Motoring. The events are enabled by Order of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services under Article 2 of the Motor Vehicle Races (Jersey) Law 1946.
As per last year the Promoter is seeking to provide the public with a broad based programme of motoring events with the inclusion of an ‘Activity Arena / Circuit course’ at West Park on Sunday 09 June (see attached plan) along with other static displays on La Route de St Aubin above the Lower People’s Park. The aim of the Activity Arena / Course is to give motor clubs in the Island a space in which to carry out live displays (as per 2012) rather than racing.
The Festival has the support of the Connétable of St Helier, who has given permission for both the ‘Upper’ and ‘Lower’ parks to be used as static display areas. The Promoter is consulting and co-ordinating with the Honorary Police, Emergency Services, TTS Parking Control, LibertyBus and Fort Regent. The Promoter will also be carrying out a face to face letter drop to residents and businesses affected by the event, notably the Grand Hotel, etc.
The Festival, including the Activity Arena, has been risk assessed by the Motor Sport Association’s (MSA) Director of Motor Sport Safety and has received full MSA’s Public Liability Insurance cover.
Road closure details are as follows:
- Victoria Avenue Sprint: Friday 07 June (7pm to 11.30pm): Victoria Avenue will be closed from West Park to First Tower junction. The Promoter also wishes to use Lay-bys 1, 2 and 4 for the parking and the display of race vehicles and lay-by 4 for vehicle turning which will require their closure. Lay-by 1 will be closed from 6am until after the event (around Midnight). Lay-bys 2 and 4 will be closed from 2pm on the afternoon of the event with all remaining vehicles removed from the lay-by after 5pm. The promenade and the cycle track will be unaffected.
- Westmount Hill Climb: Saturday 08 June (9.30am to 6.30pm): Westmount will be closed from St Aubin’s Road to the entrance of Overdale Hospital.
- Mount Bingham Hill Climb: Sunday 09 June (9am to 4pm): Pier Road will be closed from its junction with the northern arm of South Hill to Mount Bingham; Mount Bingham from its junction with Pier Road to Green Street. Also closed are South Hill, Fort Regent Road and La Collette Garden Car Parks.
- La Route de St Aubin Activity Arena: Sunday 09 June (8am to 6pm): La Route de St Aubin will be closed from the King George V Homes to its junction with Kensington Street. The West Park slip lane will also be closed, as will Pierson Road.
Discussion
- Victoria Avenue Sprint: Due to the closure being in the evening (after PM peak demand which ends prior to 7pm) traffic delays will be less significant than, for example, the Battle of Flowers. Nevertheless although the Public is now familiar with the Sprint’s traffic impact, experience from previous years indicates that disruption will be significant into the late evening.
- Westmount Hill Climb: The Parish of St Helier administers Westmount Road and its closure will cause little disruption.
- Mount Bingham Hill Climb: While Mount Bingham is actively used by both commuter and commercial traffic during weekdays, its closure on a Sunday should not present significant traffic issues, with the main impact being the loss of the coastal route to tourists and the loss of access to Fort Regent.
Discussion - Activity Arena:
- Traffic: Creation of the Activity Arena entails closing La Route de St Aubin between First Tower and Kensington Street which is the same as last year. In addition the West Park slip lane and Pierson Road will be closed. This will necessitate northbound traffic being diverted up Kensington Place and Kensington Street on to St Aubins Road.
The likely impact of these arrangements is to create westbound congestion at the right turns on Victoria Avenue (at First Tower and Rue du Galet) and eastbound congestion on the right turns off La Route de St Aubin (at Rue du Galet and at First Tower). There will also be delays for vehicles heading northbound via Kensington Place.
- Emergency Services: The Emergency Services have been consulted regarding the closure of La Route de St Aubin (between First Tower and Kensington Street) and Pierson Road and have indicated that they are comfortable with diversion arrangements (i.e. Kensington Place and Kensington Street on to St Aubins Road).
- Bus Services: Buses will be unable to serve stops between West Park and First Tower (normally every 5 to 10 minutes). The following routes will be affected in both directions: No. 27, 8, 9, 12, 12a, 14, 15. However, it is worth noting that the same arrangements last year did not cause the bus company any significant operational issues.
- Access to Residences: During the closure access to premises will be maintained via First Tower, this includes access to West Park Apartments. As part of the closure of Pierson Road residential parking will be suspended from 6pm on Saturday 08 June.
- Other Events: There are no other events planned for this day in the vicinity of the Festival of Motoring.
Conclusion
The Festival of Motoring is an established and publicly accepted event, the introduction of a circular Activity Arena on La Route de St Aubin two years ago received positive coverage and the event was well attended with no adverse traffic comments received by the Department.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the Classic and Vintage Motor Racing Club’s event programme and the preparation of an Order.
Reason(s) for Decision
The proposed road closures and associated traffic management being reasonable and justified.
Resource Implications
TTS Officer and Law Draftsman’s time.
TTS’ Road Signs and Markings section to provide assistance to the Honorary Police in putting out traffic signs prior to the start of the event and collecting / storing traffic signs after the event. The Promoter is charged for this service on a cost basis.
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: | Technical Assistant, Traffic and Infrastructure |
Approved by: | Director, Engineering and Infrastructure |
Attachments: | Plan of West Park Activity Arena |
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