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A decision made (22/06/2007) regarding: Pavement Widening for Al Fresco areas - Bridge Bar, Fridays, and The Southampton.

Subject:	Pavement Widening for Al Fresco areas - Bridge Bar, Fridays and The Southampton
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2007-0052	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		I:Minister:2007:Ministerial Decisions:MD00 Al Fresco Pavement Widening
Written Report Title:	Pavement Widening for Al Fresco areas - Bridge Bar, Fridays and The Southampton	Written report – Author:		Robert Cabot
Decision(s): While recognising that some on-street parking will be lost, it was noted that there is spare capacity in off-street car parks, and the Minister agreed to approve:  The proposed al fresco area of 90m² from Fridays to Pizza Express in Halkett Place,  The proposed al fresco area of 26m² outside the Bridge, Caledonia Place, Subject to all works being carried out by the applicant to the Department’s specification. The Minister agreed to support the principle of incorporating al fresco proposals into the redevelopment of the Southampton, so long as the existing level of bicycle stand provision, traffic flows, and legitimate parking in the immediate area is maintained, and that the applicant provides full details of the proposals for approval, in due course.
Reason(s) for decision: Alfresco areas are normally supported where pedestrians can be safely accommodated, and there are no other obvious disadvantages to the public.
Action required: To inform the applicant and the Connétable of St Helier. For the Department to work with the applicant to ensure each of the proposals is developed to a suitable standard.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 22 June 2007

Pavement Widening for Al Fresco areas - Bridge Bar, Fridays, and The Southampton.

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Pavement Widening for al fresco areas- Bridge Bar, Fridays and The Southampton

Purpose of the Report

The Connétables of the Parishes administer “al fresco” licenses on public roads through the provisions of the Customary Law (Choses Publique) (Jersey) Law 1993. However, applicants are required to gain the consent of the Minister when the area required is administered by Transport and Technical Services.

Background

A letter has been received from an Architect acting on behalf of C I Estates with regard to the three businesses listed above, in which support for the al fresco proposals has been requested.

Discussion

Fridays, Halkett Place

A widening of the pavement from the frontage of “Fridays” to “Pizza Express” is proposed, with lead in and lead out tapers. Passing pedestrians would be expected to use the widened pavement, while the existing pavement would be used for al fresco dining and drinking. The proposal is broadly in-line with the outline proposals developed by the Department for consultation some years ago. An area of 90m² would be made available for al fresco activities along the frontage of 4 businesses, only three of which are in a position to take advantage of the widened footway. A total of 6 1hr pay card, and 1 disabled parking bay would be lost as a result of this scheme. It should be noted that the owner of the fourth business did express concern that he would lose business, as potential clients might walk past, away from his shop front, and not notice his business. Consideration should be given to the applicant of the scheme providing pavement marketing for this fourth business. All the work would be carried out by the applicant of the schemes, but to the satisfaction of, and supervised by, the Department.

Bridge Bar, Caledonia Place

One disabled parking bay and four parking bays would be lost outside the Bridge, to provide an area of al fresco approximately 26m². This would be in addition to the parking bay which is expected to be lost from outside 9 Caledonia Place, under a recently approved al fresco scheme. The disabled space would have to be re-located somewhere in the area to maintain this provision.

Once the buses have moved to Liberation Station, the current Weighbridge area will be transferred to WEB for development. Current proposals are for this area being considered to be used for al fresco in the longer term.

The applicant’s preferred option is for the seating to be on what is currently road, and allow pedestrians to pass between the premises and the al fresco seating. It is recommended that pedestrians are guided around the seating, so that there is no risk of conflict and resultant accidents caused by interaction between the servicing of the tables and passing pedestrians. Once the buses have moved and Caledonia Place has ceased to be a through road, then the scheme proposed by the applicant could be considered.

The Southampton, Weighbridge Place

The promoter of these schemes is in the early stages of design work for the complete re-development of the Southampton, and would like to incorporate al fresco arrangements into the re-development.

There are a large number of bicycle rack spaces in the area, as well as scratch card parking.

However, there is some scope for rationalisation of road widths and parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, which would enable some al fresco to be provided.

While the principle should be supported the detail would have to be carefully considered.

Recommendation

While it is recognised that some on-street parking will be lost, there is spare capacity in off- street car parks and the Minister is recommended, subject to all works being carried out by the applicant to the Department’s specification, to approve:

The proposed al fresco area of 90m² from Fridays to Pizza Express in Halkett Place

The proposed al fresco area of 26m² outside the Bridge, Caledonia Place.

The Minister is recommended to support the principle of incorporating al fresco proposals into the redevelopment of The Southampton, so long as the existing level of bicycle stand provision, traffic flows, and legitimate parking in the immediate area is maintained, and that the applicant provides full details of the proposals for approval, in due course.

Reason(s) for Decisions

Al fresco areas are normally supported where pedestrians can be safely accommodated, and there are no other obvious disadvantages to the public.

Action Required

To inform the applicant and the Connétable of St Helier.

The Department is to work with the applicant to ensure each of the proposals are developed to a suitable standard.

Written by:	R J R Cabot Assistant Traffic Engineer

Approved by:	Caroline Anderson Director of Transport

Attachments:

Two number drawings illustrating each proposal.