TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
VELOSPORT JERSEY APPLICATION TO HOLD THE TOWN
CRITERIUM (CYCLE RACE) 2012
Purpose of the Report
To accompany the signature copy of the Jersey Town Criterium (Jersey) Order 2012 enabling road closures and traffic restrictions for the purpose of holding the Town Criterium (Cycle Race) on Sunday 26 August 2012.
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.
In previous years the Promoter has held the Jersey Town Criterium over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend in May, but due to the Jubilee celebrations in June the Promoter has been forced to move the event to the bank holiday weekend at the end of August. The event will use the same course and general format as have been used in previous years. The Promoter will be holding the event with the support of the Jersey Cycling Association.
As per the requirements of the Law, a draft Order has been prepared and circulated to the Parish of St Helier for consultation. The Promoter is also co-ordinating with the Emergency Services, Parking Control, Connex, the Taxi Drivers Association and Churches within the race area. The Promoter has also supplied proof of public liability Insurance.
Traffic Management
The proposed race involves sealing off the town centre and surrounding roads to vehicular traffic between 11.45am and 6.15pm, with the first race starting at Midday 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 6.15pm.
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 25 August until 7pm on Sunday 26 August to provide competitors with a preparation area.
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, with crossing being permitted only when deemed clear (approximately every three minutes during racing). In addition there will be seven race break points of about 15 minutes.
- Access to Residences: Vehicles within the race area will be able to ingress and egress via the crossing points at the New Street Cut entrance and Le Geyt Street to Dumaresq Street cut subject to marshal control.
- 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.
- Access to the Pomme d’Or & Royal Yacht Hotels: The Promoter has personally contacted each establishment, both the General Manager of the Royal Yacht and Pomme d’Or have given their 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 access throughout the day in addition to 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 commenced on 27 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 11.45 am and 6.15pm, 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 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 previous years has worked 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 make the Jersey Town Criterium (Jersey) Order 2012 as prepared.
Reason(s) for Decision
Further to MD-T-2012-0048, enabling preparation of the Order and following statutory consultations, the proposed road closures and associated traffic management are reasonable and justified.
Resource Implications
None
Action Required
To notify the Publications Editor and the Law Draftsman that the Order has been made, forward the signed and sealed Order to the Publications Editor, States Greffe, and request the Greffier of the States to arrange for its notification to the States.
Written by: | Technical Assistant, Traffic |
Approved by: | Director, Engineering and Infrastructure |
Attachments: | Town Criterium (Jersey) Order 2012 Promoter’s Traffic Management Plan |
I:\Minister\2012\Ministerial Decisions 2012\MD 00 Town Criterium (Jersey) Order 2012\WR Town Criterium (Jersey) Order 2012.doc
gov.je