GROWTH, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT
LA GRANDE ROUTE DE LA COTE RESURFACING WITHIN SEASONAL
RESTRICTED PERIOD
Purpose of the Report
To approve a temporary relaxation of the controls laid down in the Directions for the Control & Management of Streetworks (2008) to allow the resurfacing of La Grande Route de La Cote during the School summer holidays 2020.
Background
The resurfacing works on La Grande Route de la Cote, between School Road and Rue de Jambart are programmed for the School summer holidays 2020 (20 July to 1 September 2020).
La Grande Route de la Cote is a Class 2 route as defined by the Government of Jersey (GoJ) Directions for the Control & Management of Streetworks (2008). The impact of the scheme is high and significant works with a highway roadworks impact of this level would not normally take place during the summer months. However, there are good reasons for deviating from the policy for these essential Highway Maintenance works.
Discussion
La Grande Route de la Cote resurfacing scheme has been broken down into seven sections to minimise disruption to residents as much as possible. Due to the condition of the underlying layers of the road the top 150mm of surfacing needs to be replaced. To carry out the work efficiently a 24 hour road closure needs to be in place from 07:30am Monday to 06:00pm Friday. For the safety of motorists, no vehicular access can be permitted within the working area during those times. Alternative parking provisions will be in place for residents who are affected by the closures.
There is a general presumption against work involving road closures or significant traffic delay during the summer (May to September inclusive). The ‘Directions for the Control and Management of Streetworks’ apply a Seasonal Restriction on La Grande Route de la Cote during the summer period. The aim of the policy is to minimise the impact of the road works on seasonal / tourist based businesses.
The Highways Maintenance section of Growth, Housing and Environment are seeking a relaxation of this policy for La Grande Route de la Cote for the following reasons:
- The School holiday period is a good time to do this project with Le Rocquier, St Christopher’s, St Clement, Plat Douet and Samares Schools all in the vicinity or on roads likely to be used by diverting vehicles.
- School summer holidays are a good time of the year to do such works where full road closures are required over a long period, as traffic levels are generally lower and time pressures on many motorists are reduced.
- Summer is a good time to do works of this nature with reduced risk of weather disruption and better working conditions generally leading to better value for money through better productivity.
- There is a backlog of projects and other higher priority constraints on other parts of the network which limits access to those other parts of the network for carrying out works of this nature.
Significant stakeholders have been identified along the route, but there are no longer any hotels immediately adjacent to the section of road proposed to be re-constructed. There are many houses and flats as well as some commercial businesses. However, there are good alternative diversion routes to the major tourist attractions in the east of the island.
An extensive communications plan will be implemented to ensure that everyone affected by the works can plan to mitigate the impacts, in addition to all the householders along the route the following significant stakeholders have been identified:
- Liberty Bus (Public Transport Provider) to minimise the impact on bus users.
- Environmental Protection to discuss working hours where required, followed by public notification where required, though it is anticipated that out of hours noise will be kept to a minimum.
- The Parishes of St Saviour and St Clements will be consulted to ensure any concerns they may have especially with regard to diversion routes and working hours are mitigated.
- Other identified stakeholders impacted by the works and the diversion routes will be consulted and kept up to date on the progress of the work as it progresses.
Conclusion
The implementation of 24 hour road closures, identical to that adopted on La Grande Route de St Martin in July 2019 will provide a scheme completion in 5.5 weeks.
The completion of the works during the school summer holidays would be favourable as it mitigates the impact on school travel routes used by buses and parents, thus significantly reducing congestion on the surrounding roads.
Notwithstanding the case for doing this work during the summer holiday (seasonal restricted period) on the coast road, we believe that the general presumption against disruptive coastal works during the summer remains relevant, it is not proposed to set a precedent by working outside the policy recommendations for this essential road maintenance project.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the closure of sections of La Grande Route de la Cote during a seasonal restricted period 24 hours a day during school summer holidays 2020.
Reason(s) for Decision
To ensure that the Planned Maintenance of the Island’s road network can be carried out in a timely manner while having regard for the requirements of stakeholders and householders on the route.
Resource Implications
There are no additional resource implications to carrying out this project during summer 2020 to those already identified to carry out the work.
Action Required
Road Works Manager to arrange for the permit to be issued to Highway Maintenance to carry out the resurfacing of a major part of La Grande Route de la Cote during summer 2020.
Written by: | Road Works Manager |
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Approved by: | Head of Transport |
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Endorsed by: | Director of Operations and Transport |
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