ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Transcription

1 PAGE: 1 REPORT TO: THE MORAY COUNCIL ON 4 MARCH 2015 SUBJECT: BY: CLOSED ROADS CHARITY CYCLE EVENT ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE) 1. REASON FOR REPORT 1.1 The Committee is asked to consider the implications of implementing a series of road closures for the Etape Royal Cycle Event on 27 September This report is submitted to Committee in terms of Section III (F) (19) and (22) of the Council's Scheme of Administration relating to traffic management functions including the preparation and implementation of traffic management schemes and the making of Orders for the regulation and management of traffic. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 To consider the implications of a full road closure on the A941, B9009, B9008, and A939 on 27/9/15 to permit the Etape Royal cycle event to take place. 2.2 To determine either: (i) (ii) to agree now to allow a full road closure for the duration of the event, or: or to agree in principle and to authorise use of current delegated powers in consultation with local members. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 The Council has been asked for a road closure to permit a large scale cycle event to take place on the roads around Dufftown and Tomintoul on 27 September 2015 as part of a 100 mile Etape cycle ride which will be based in Ballater, Aberdeenshire. This the first time that the Council has been asked for such a widespread road closure for a cycling event. Although officers have delegated powers to deal with road closure requests, this is being brought before the Full Council for consideration because of the potential impact of the event. 3.2 Officers were first approached regarding this event in late January The organisers are hoping for approximately 2500 participants and have

2 PAGE: 2 stated that the event will only be viable if held on closed roads. To meet their September date for the event, the organisers wish to launch the event on 1 April 2015 hence the need to determine whether they will be permitted a road closure so far in advance. 3.3 The organisers have set dates for public consultation which are unfortunately after this meeting of Full Council (see Para 4.3 below). Recommendation 2.2(ii) provides a mechanism which would allow the views expressed during the consultation process within Moray to be taken into account before any decision is made. 3.4 The organisers would need a definite decision immediately following their last Moray consultation event planned for Dufftown on the 24 March Whilst there are many such Cycle Sportive events held in Britain every year, very few are held on closed roads with road closures normally being reserved for cycle races rather than sportives. There are two examples of sportives where the road is closed, one in Perthshire, the Caledonia Etape which attracts 5000 cyclists, the other being the Loch Ness Etape which was held for the first time in 2014 and attracted 1250 participants. 3.6 Moray already hosts the Ride the North cycle event however this is a 2-day ride from Inverness to Stonehaven where the participants all stay overnight in Elgin. This is held on open roads with no road closures in place. In 2014 a total of 1000 participants and supporters travelled through Moray staying overnight in and around Elgin as a result of Ride the North. 4. CONSIDERATIONS 4.1 Officers from the traffic team have met with the organiser to discuss their requirements and they have supplied a proposed schedule of road closures as shown in APPENDIX A & B. If implemented the roads would be closed from approximately 7.30am to 12.30pm around Dufftown and from approximately 8am to 2pm around Tomintoul. The ride would not pass through either the centre of Dufftown or Tomintoul but the road closure would impact on traffic trying to access both towns. The road closure will affect the A941, B9009, B9008, and A When implementing a road closure it would be normal to sign an alternative route via a diversion however due to the location of the route and the limited number of roads in the area there is no suitable diversion and no alternative access to properties along the route. Based on the timings supplied by the organiser it is likely that the route from Elrich via Dufftown and Tomintoul to the Lecht could not be used by anyone outwith the event for several hours. 4.3 Subject to the decision of the Council, the organisers will undertake all consultation with affected premises and be responsible for general publicity and public consultation. They have already set up the following meetings for further consultation throughout March: 17th March at Lecht, 18th March at Keig Hall, 19th March at Dinnet, 24th March at Dufftown and 25th March at Crathe with a possible meeting at Tomintoul also to be arranged.

3 PAGE: The organisers have supplied further information in relation to contingency planning for emergencies, traffic management and event publicity which are included in APPENDIX C with an example of a previous publicity leaflet given in APPENDIX D. These are working documents and changes will be made to them as further meetings take place however they do show their intentions, and that such matters are being considered. 4.5 If an event requires a road closure it is normal for the disadvantages and inconvenience to be offset by the benefits that result, for example from extra visitors. In this case the event is to be based at Ballater and the majority of participants will not be staying in Moray. During the event the riders will travel through Moray but will have no need to stop at any Moray businesses as the ride organisers will be providing feed stations and meeting all of their needs. This is different from when cyclists normally travel through these areas and make use of local businesses for refreshments, accommodation or for general tourism. 4.6 The establishment of a mass participation ride such as the Etape Royale could generate positive publicity for Moray leading to an increase in tourists and cyclists visiting Moray throughout the year, and be beneficial to tourism outlets, accommodation providers, etc as well as encouraging more residents to try cycling. There is also the potential to attract tourists who may wish to watch the event. 4.7 The Chair of the Moray Economic Partnership s tourism and culture group is supportive of approving road closures designed to facilitate the Etape Royal Cycle Event on 27 September 2015 stating that Although the majority of participants will not be staying in Moray Speyside on this occasion, the Etape gives us an opportunity to showcase the area s scenery and warmth of welcome, and some of the participating cyclists will doubtless be tempted to return. Cycle tourism is one of MoraySpeyside Tourism s priorities for the coming year, as is collaboration with neighbouring areas to offer the best experience to visitors to the region. 4.8 The Council s Planning & Economic Development Manager is also supportive. 4.9 During discussions with the organisers they have stated that if the event is successful this year they would look to expand it next year with an additional event to be held in Dufftown offering a shorter route to attract families and less experienced cyclists and with a mountain biking event to be based at Glenlivet. In addition they stress that the ride is to raise money for local charities with all funds raised to be distributed within the north east. They intend to establish a committee to distribute these funds with representatives from both Moray and Aberdeenshire. They have also stated that they will use local businesses to source the supplies for the event, including those who would be affected by the proposed closure. 5. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS

4 PAGE: 4 (a) Moray 2023: A Plan for the Future/Service Plan The proposed cycle event supports the priority areas indentified in the plan for a growing, diverse and sustainable economy. There will be an impact on businesses accessed from the route for the duration of the event however this could be offset by the increase in tourism as a result of the event. (b) Policy and Legal The proposal complies with the requirements of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations (c) Financial implications It is normal practice for the costs associated with the processing of Temporary Road Closures to be waived for Community or Charity Events. The costs for signing, managing and maintaining the closure will be borne by the event organisers however there will be an outstanding cost for staff time which will be met by the Council. All proposed signage will need to be agreed with the Traffic Team. (d) Risk Implications Whilst the introduction of a road closure along substantial lengths of the roads specified will undoubtedly reduce the likely conflicts between competitors, thereby increasing the attraction of the event. The organisers have agreed to provide marshalls at all road junctions, but due to the nature of the landscape there are numerous private access to roadside properties that cannot be controlled and there may be a risk that local landowners will be required to travel to parcels of land on opposite sides of the road and it may prove difficult for marshalls to prevent this type of activity, which may put road users at risk.there is a risk of access not being freely available in event of an emergency however the organisers have supplied further information on how this will be mitigated in APPENDIX C and if the closure is agreed further discussions will take place to implement full contingency plans in case of any emergency. (e) Staffing Implications The scale of the event will undoubtedly involve additional staff time, but this will be accommodated within existing resources. (f) Property There are no property implications arising from this report (g) Equalities

5 PAGE: 5 A decision in support of the event is subject to an equality impact assessment to be carried out by the event organisers since there will be people affected by the road closures who are in need of care support. (h) Consultations 6. CONCLUSION L Paisey, Principal Accountant, A Scott, Legal Services Manager (Property and Contracts), D Toonen, Equal Opportunities Officer, G Sutherland Planning & Economic Development Manager, Cameron Taylor, Chamber of Commerce, Margery McLennan, Moray Economic Partnership and C Whelan, Traffic Sergeant for Police Scotland have been consulted and their comments have either been incorporated or will be advised at Committee. 6.1 A request from organisers to implement a series of road closures in the Glenlivet, Dufftown and Tomintoul area, will provide an enhanced experience for all participants of the Royal Etape Cycle Event on 27 September The implications of these closures will create a number of benefits/disbenefits to local residents and travellers, and need to be considered. Author of Report: Pat Douglass (Acting Senior Engineer) Background Papers: None Ref: