TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
PARISH OF ST HELIER APPLICATION FOR USE OF NEW STREET FOR SUNDAY MARKET
Purpose of the Report
To obtain a Ministerial Decision regarding approval of a road closure, etc. for the purpose of holding a ‘trial’ weekly Sunday Market in New Street, commencing Sunday 27 July through to Sunday 26 October 2014.
Background
Following positive feedback from the Fête de St Hélier Street Market held in Broad Street during July 2013, the Connétable of St Helier asked the Town Centre Manager to develop plans for a regular Sunday street market that would appeal to both visitors and locals. Various sites have been considered such as Broad Street, the Royal Square and Halkett Place but following consultation, including with this Department, New Street (a road administered by TTS) was selected as the least problematic. The proposed market is supported by the Economic Development Department and Jersey Business Limited.
It is proposed, subject to TTS approval, that the road closure be enabled under Connétables powers (Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956: Article 67 (4) & (5) - Temporary traffic restrictions).
Discussion
The Parish of St Helier has submitted an application requesting permission to use New Street to hold a weekly Sunday street market and to close the road for this purpose (please see attached plan).
The layout of the Market will be in three parts, the first will be three gazebo stalls placed on the granite paving in front of the Broad Street Obelisk; the second, in New Cut, will be five gazebo stalls; and the final location will be eight gazebo stalls situated on the disabled (minibus) parking layby in New Street proper.
It is proposed that New Cut and New Street be closed from 8am until 6pm with the market open from 10am until 5pm. The proposal is to run the event from the end of July until the end of October 2014 with a view, if successful, to re-apply for a market on the same site starting Spring next year (March 2015).
The Promoter has consulted with the Emergency Services, Liberty Bus, the Taxi Drivers Association and St Paul’s Church.
Disabled Parking
While the market will involve the loss of the disabled (minibus) parking layby at the south end of New Street, there are six remaining disabled spaces to the north. In addition Vine Street could be made available for disabled parking if needed.
Buses and Taxis
The No 4 bus route will be affected by the closure of New Street with four scheduled buses re-routed through the day from New Street into Devonshire Place and then onto The Parade and Gloucester Street, etc., normally these buses would go along New Street, Library Place, Mulcaster Street, etc.
Taxis will also be restricted from using New Street, although the Library Place Taxi Rank will remain open.
Development Site
The Department has been contacted by a property developer regarding plans to redevelop two building plots adjacent to the north end of the disabled (minibus) parking layby, opposite the side entrance to Voisins Department Store. While the development will not begin until at least October (and may therefore not necessarily overlap with the ‘trial’ market period) works will be ongoing for 24 months and will therefore overlap with any permanent market in 2015 /16. As part of the redevelopment the developer is looking to take temporary possession of the adjacent footway and unloading bay (see attached Site Plan) to create a construction unloading yard. Although no approval has yet been given to the developer for this possession (and final detail may differ significantly from the current plan) the Department has already liaised with the Parish to ensure no direct conflict will occur.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the road closure and changes to the bus service for the New Street Sunday Market trial.
Reason(s) for Decision
The proposed road closure is reasonable and justified in the light of the positive benefits to the Island.
Resources
None
Action Required
Streetworks Manager to forward a copy of the Ministerial Decision to the Parish of St Helier.
Written by: | Streetworks Manager |
Approved by: | Director, Engineering and Infrastructure |
Attachments: | Parish of St Helier Market Plan Developer Proposed Site Plan |
Y:\Minister\2014\Ministerial Decisions 2014\MD 00 New Street Sunday Market Trial\WR New Street Sunday Market Trial.docx