Monday 30 March 2015
The Environment Department would like to advise motorists that there will be a number of important changes to traffic management requirements and road layout along the Town seafront from as early as next Monday. Motorists will therefore need to be extra vigilant to ensure that they comply with these new requirements.
The road layout changes being made are primarily as a result of the Department's decision to introduce pedestrian safety improvements along the Town Quay but will also assist with anticipated additional footfall created by the relocation of the cruise liner tender operations to the Albert Pier.
Existing changes
Over the last few days, alterations have been made to the road layout outside the exit from the Albert Pier car park. In effect this has reduced the road to single file for a very short section of road between the exit of the Albert Pier and the signalised crossing along the South Esplanade leading to the Bus Terminus. This is specifically required in order to accommodate the increasing numbers of passengers that will be travelling along this route in association with the relocation of the cruise liner tender operations.
However, the existing two traffic lanes have been retained between the filter at the Town Quay/Fountain Street junction and the entrance to the Albert Pier. This will continue to allow motorists to use the right hand lane to access Cornet Street and Fountain Street and the left hand lane for South Esplanade (and the slip road leading to the Albert Pier).
From Monday 30 March
The presently closed southbound traffic lanes along The Quay between the Crown Pier and the Albert Pier will re-open as a single traffic lane. This will improve road safety in the area as pedestrians using the informal crossing opposite the Town Church will no longer have to run the risk of a driver in one of the southbound lanes waving them across only to find that a driver in the other lane does not see them and drives straight through without stopping. It has also enabled wider traffic lanes to be created and, in due course, a wider walkway will be provided along the edge of the Victoria Marina.
The short section of two-lane northbound carriageway adjacent to the Town Church has also been reduced to single file to accommodate a painted central refuge, protected by bollards, which will allow pedestrians using the informal crossing to wait in safety to cross The Quay.
A 20mph speed limit has also been introduced along the Town Quay. This will also help to improve pedestrian safety at the crossing point and along The Quay in general.
From Wednesday 1 April
When the current one-way system along North Esplanade is removed on Wednesday morning, motorists exiting the North Beach Roundabout onto North Esplanade will still have two traffic lanes available to them. However, once motorists have passed the signalised crossing they will be advised, through signage and road markings, to move into the correct traffic lane depending on where they wish to travel.
The left hand lane (nearest to the sea wall) will be for buses using the bus stop opposite the Tourist Information Office and motorists wanting to access the Crown Pier. A painted extension to the build out at the end of the Victoria (Crown) Pier with a bollard will be created at which point the southbound carriageway will reduce to single file. The right hand lane therefore becomes the only lane for motorists wishing to travel along The Quay.
These latest changes will be introduced on a trial basis and should they prove successful, then the Department will look to implement them on a more permanent basis next year.
Motorists are asked to take extra care over the next few weeks when travelling in this area until they adjust to the new road layout.
Please find attached plans below.
For further information or clarification please contact Jan Bailey on tel. 717200 in the first instance.
