TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
VELOSPORT JERSEY APPLICATION TO HOLD THE TOWN
CRITERIUM (CYCLE RACE) 2009
Purpose of the Report
To obtain ‘Ministerial Decision’ regarding approval of road closures and traffic restrictions for the purpose of holding the Jersey Town Criterium (Cycle Race) 2009.
Background
The Promoter (Velosport Jersey) has submitted details of a proposed new annual town cycle race to be held this year on Sunday 24th May 2009.
Velosport Jersey, formed in 1988, is a local club committed to promoting both road racing and time trialling, particularly among the young. The Club runs regular road races throughout the 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 set 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.
It is the intention of the Promoter to make the event an annual one and to secure long-term sponsorship from the commercial sector. The event is effectively ‘not for profit’ however, but should a profit be made then the intention is to put that money towards youth development within the sport locally.
The event has the support of the Connétable of St Helier and Economic Development (non financial).
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”.
As per the requirements of the Law, a draft order has been prepared and circulated to the Connétable of St Helier for consultation. The Promoter has also consulted and is co-ordinating with the Emergency Services, TTS Parking Control, Connex and the Taxi Drivers Association (via Dave Le Corre). The Promoter has also supplied proof of public liability Insurance.
Traffic Management (See also Promoter’s Summary Traffic Management Plan)
The proposed race involves the sealing off the town centre and surrounding roads to vehicular traffic between 11am and 6pm on Sunday 24th May 2009, with the first race starting at 12pm and the last race finishing around 5.15pm (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:
York Street, The Parade (West), Union Street, Burrard Street, Halkett Place, Hill Street, Mulcaster Street, Weighbridge Place, The Esplanade, Conway Street, Broad Street, Charing Cross
In addition the Parade (East) will be closed from a junction with Union Street to a junction with Cannon Street between 10am and 6pm to provide competitors with a preparation area.
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:
Commercial Street, Devonshire Place, Le Geyt Street, Lempriere Street, Duhamel Place, New Street, Cattle Street, Seale Street
Discussion / Impact of the Race
The event will have the following outline impacts on the Town Centre:
- Pedestrians 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 3 minutes during racing). In addition there will be four race break point 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 wrote to both hotels in February and 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 the Promoter has agreed to move the original start race time from 11am to Midday to allow morning service to take place without alteration.
- 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 24th 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, 4) 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).
The Promoter has agreed to advertise road closures and traffic management measure along with changes to public transport and taxi ranks in advance in the JEP.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the ‘Jersey Town Criterium (Jersey) Order’ as prepared.
Action Required
To send the hard copy of the Order to the Publications Editor at the States Greffe as soon as it has been signed.
Written by: | Streetworks Manager |
Approved by: | Director, Municipal Services |
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