TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
EXTINGUISHMENT OF THAT PART OF LA ROUTE DU NORD
GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE “RONEZ LOOP ROAD”
Purpose of the Report
To extinguish that part of La Route du Nord generally known as the “Ronez Loop Road” so that the ownership of the land on which the road is situated can be transferred to the Parish of St John.
Background
That part of La Route du Nord generally known as the “Ronez Loop Road” is used by The Jersey Kart and Motor Club on a number of weekends every year for kart racing. The Jersey Kart and Motor Club would like to improve certain aspects of the course but cannot make those improvements while the road is a Highway. A Planning Application was made by The Jersey Kart and Motor Club to carry out these improvements. A Permit to Develop has been issued by the Planning Department to make certain improvements to the kart racing course.
At the time the Planning Application was being consulted on, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services made a verbal undertaking to transfer the “Ronez Loop Road” to the Parish of St John. The Parish of St John recently wrote to the Assistant Treasury Minister informing him that the St John Roads Committee are minded to recommend to a future Parish Assembly that the “Ronez Loop Road” be accepted from the States of Jersey once the road has been extinguished
Discussion
The Jersey Kart and Motor Club currently use Ronez Loop Road on approximately 15 weeks per year for weekend race meetings. Ronez Loop Road is currently a Highway therefore the Minister for Transport and Technical Services has to make an Order, under the Motor Vehicle Races (Jersey) Law 1946, approving the closure of the road for these meetings. The Jersey Kart and Motor Club are unable to carry out any permanent works in and around the highway to improve the race track or race track facilities, while the loop road remains a highway.
The Jersey Kart and Motor Club have a Planning Permit to carry out improvements to their track and infrastructure, works that cannot take place while the road is a Highway. The Minister for Transport and Technical Services may make an application to the Royal Court for the extinguishment of a highway under the Extinguishment of Roads (Jersey) Law 1972.
Conclusion
Once the “Ronez Loop Road” has been extinguished and ownership passed to the Parish of St John, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services will not have to maintain the road or make Orders allowing the road’s closure for Kart meetings. The Jersey Kart and Motor Club will be able to carry out the permanent work approved under the planning permit issued by the Planning Department, and the local community will have control of the land and the activities of The Jersey Kart and Motor Club through their Parish representatives.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the proposal to commence the required legal process to extinguish that part of La Route du Nord generally known as the Ronez Loop Road.
Reason(s) for Decision
To enable the land on which the Ronez Loop Road has been built to be transferred to the ownership of the Parish of St John.
Resource Implications
Once the road has been extinguished Transport and Technical Services Department and the Law Draftsman’s Office will no longer have to process Orders, and TTS will no longer be required to maintain the Ronez Loop Road.
Action Required
Acting Senior Engineer to write to the Law Officers’ Department to request the commencement of proceedings to extinguish that part of La Route du Nord generally known as the Ronez Loop Road.
Written by: | Acting Senior Engineer |
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Approved by: | Director of Transport |
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Endorsed by: | Director of Engineering and Infrastructure |
I:\Minister\2012\Ministerial Decisions 2012\MD 00 Extinguishment of Part of La Route du Nord\WR Extinguishment of Part of La Route du Nord.doc