TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
3D PERFOMANCE APPLICATION TO HOLD THE JERSEY TRIATHLON 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 Triathlon 2013 on Sunday 30 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 Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
Background
3D Performance (“the Promoter”) has submitted details of its proposed road closures and traffic restrictions to enable a new Jersey Triathlon. With the Island Games due to be held in Jersey in 2015 the promoter wishes to bring the event into town. In previous years the event has been held in the west of the Island; however it is the recommendation of the organisers that the course should be trialled for at least two years prior to the Island Games in 2015. The course is being designed to be attractive to both on and off island competitors and with a more central location the event will be able to provide numerous spectator spots for both the annual Jersey Triathlon event and for the opening event of the 2015 Island Games.
The event has the support of the Connétable of St Helier but the promoter has yet to commence a broader consultation with the Emergency Services, Parking Control, HCT, the Taxi Drivers Association and commercial premises etc. within the race area. The event will utilise a similar course to the Town Criterium which is now an established annual fixture so few issues are expected to arise.
The event will be promoted year round as a ‘destination event’. The Jersey Triathlon is the most southerly triathlon of the British Isles and images of Jersey will be used to attract 300-500 competitors from off island each year. A key aim of the event will be to promote healthy lifestyles in the community and attract more people to triathlon. The event will also benefit three local charities each year, through competitor fundraising and donations. In addition, other charities, clubs and associations will be able to use the event as a platform to conduct their own fundraising initiatives.
Due to the significance and duration of necessary road closures, as well as the need to make certain routes two way, the event needs to be covered by an Order under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
The event, which comprises three basic competitions - Olympic Standard, Super Sprint and Junior Race - will start at 10am with the Junior Race followed by the Olympic Standard Race at 12pm and Super Sprint Race at 12.45pm.
Junior Race
Swim: - 100m swim around a course at West Park
Cycle: - 3km loop on the St Aubins Bay Cycle Track turning at Lay-by 5. This will be completed under marshal supervision.
Run: - 1 lap of a 1.5km course around the Jardin De la Mare area.
Olympic Standard Race
Swim: -1.5km swim around a triangular course at West Park
Cycle: - 40km cycle utilising Victoria Avenue as a start and finish location with riders completing a circuit that stretches out to the west of the Island before coming back into town. The outbound leg will utilise a section of St Aubins Bay promenade between Bel Royal and Le Haule slip where riders will be reintroduced to normal traffic under marshal supervision. The rest of the course will be managed without road closures, using event Marshalls at junctions such as Bel Royal and Red Houses.
Run: -10km run from Jardin De La Mare into town following a route similar to that of the Town Criterium Cycle race. The runners will run 3 laps of the course before returning to Jardin De La Mare for the finish.
Super Sprint Race
Swim: - 800m swim starting around a triangular course at West Park
Cycle: - 10km race made of up 2 loops of Victoria Avenue from West Park to Lay-by 7
Run: - 3.3km run from Jardin De La Mare into town following a route similar to that of the Town Criterium Cycle race. The runners will run 1 lap of the course before returning to Jardin De La Mare for the finish
Traffic Management
Closure of Victoria Avenue for Cycle Races:
Traffic management will be as per other events such as the Battle of Flowers and the International Air Display. Victoria Avenue and its approach roads will be fully closed to through traffic (i.e. Bel Royal to West Park) between 12pm and 3pm on Sunday 30 June.
In addition the following traffic measures will be introduced during the closure of Victoria Avenue:
- Two-way traffic flow will be permitted through the bus lay-by at Bel Royal to enable east / west bound traffic to divert between La Route de St Aubin and La Route de la Haule.
- The section of St Peter’s Valley from the junction of Rue du Haut to Bel Royal will be closed to all southbound traffic except for buses / HGV's. Traffic will be diverted along Rue du Haut to its junction with La Route de St Aubin, thus relieving the Bel Royal junction.
- La Rue du Haut (St Lawrence) is to be closed to traffic travelling west from its junction with Le Mont Cambrai.
La Rue de la Ville Emphire will be made one way westbound only from La Rue Des Pres Sorsoleil (Jersey War Tunnels) to La Grande Route de St Laurent.
Closure of St Aubins Bay promenade for Olympic Distance Cycle Races
The Promenade will need to be closed to cyclists between Bel Royal and Le Haule Slip from 12pm until 3pm. This is so that competitors in the Olympic distance race can bypass La Route de la Haule on the outbound stage of their western circuit. Cyclists will rejoin the public highway under Marshall Control at Le Haule Slip.
Beach Access
Beach Access to be controlled by event marshals at West Park Slip, Bel Royal Slip and Gun Site Slip along with beach access generally in these vicinities. This is for the safety of competitors and spectating members of the public alike.
Lay-by Closures
Lay-by 1 will be used as competitor parking so its closure will be required from Saturday 29 June at 6pm.
Lay-bys 5 and 7 will be used as part of the course to turn competitors back towards West Park in the Junior and Super Sprint Races and will be required from Sunday 30 June at 8am.
Closure of Town Centre for Running Stage Circuit:
Traffic management will be similar to the Town Criterium, and involves sealing off the town centre and surrounding roads to vehicular traffic between 12.45pm and 4.15pm, with the first competitor expected to enter the course at 1.15pm with the last competitor finishing around 4pm (the additional time being used for enabling and clearing work).
Pedestrian Access: All footpaths adjacent to and within the courses will remain open to pedestrians / spectators at all times. However, pedestrians will be restricted to crossing the courses at designated marshal points, with crossing being permitted only when deemed clear. A section of the run route passes through King Street and will not be cordoned off; runners will interact with pedestrians.
Access to Residences: Vehicles within the run 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 and 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 St Paul’s Church: The Church has been contacted and arrangements put in place to ensure access throughout the day.
Bus Service: Although the summer bus service will be in operation during the event impact on the bus service should be minor with the No.25, which normally goes along Broad Street / The Parade / Saville Street, instead accessing Rouge Bouillon via West Park. Any changes to services will be advertised on relevant routes in advance. All routes that travel along St Aubins Bay inner road will be subject to any congestion that occurs; as such, services may be slightly delayed on the day.
Taxi Rank: The taxi ranks at Weighbridge Place and Library Place will not be affected by the proposed closures, but drivers will have to amend their typical routes out of town when heading to the northern parishes.
Traffic: The proposed road closures to enable the event are significant, in particular the closure of Victoria Avenue, 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 measures along with changes to public transport and taxi ranks in advance in the JEP.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve in principal the Jersey Town Triathlon 2013 and the preparation of an Order under Article 2 of the Entertainments on Public Roads (Jersey) Law 1985.
Reason(s) for Decision
The proposed road closures and associated traffic management are reasonable and justified in the light of the positive benefits to the Island.
Resource Implications
TTS Officer and Law Draftsman’s time.
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 |
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