Get ahead of the Games
Park & strides, extended cycle parks, special walking routes for visitors, and free buses are all part of plans to try to reduce traffic congestion during the upcoming NatWest International Island Games. The island is going to be at full capacity, with virtually every accommodation bed taken by the thousands of athletes, team officials, and supporters. Reduced speed limit zones of 20mph will be in place around key Games venues to make it safer for everyone, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
The organisers of the Games are promoting active and alternative travel options to keep the island moving. A free park & stride will be set up in the field at the top of Le Val de Terres for the entire week of the Games. There will also be additional park & strides for the opening ceremony and on the last day, at Ladies College, Sir Charles Frossard House, and Beau Sejour.
Anne Thomas, co-director for Games Logistics, said the emphasis was on trying to keep all forms of travel moving throughout the festival of sport.
“The park and strides are smart options for people who still want or need to drive and find a parking space quickly. The 1,200 volunteers who are supporting the Games, have been encouraged to use pedal power, walk, or make best use of the free buses.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for people to use active travel or public transport, so we were delighted when Environment & Infrastructure agreed to support us with free bus service provision. The Health Improvement Commission has also been working on additional cycle facilities and with the weather forecast looking good, there’s never been a better time to try a new means of travel.
“We’re aware that, despite the mitigations, there will be inconvenience and delay for some motorists in hotspots like Town, the Foote’s Lane area, and on the west coast and St Peter’s triangle, but we’d like to thank people for their support and patience whilst the island proudly plays host to such a fabulous event.”
Thousands of people are expected to line the Town seafront for the opening ceremony this Saturday evening. North Beach, the Crown Pier and Albert Pier will all be closed to traffic. The Salarie car park, Odeon, Havelet and Castle Emplacement, will be open as usual but are expected to fill up quickly.
On the final day, dubbed ‘Fantastic Friday’, the Town seafront will be closed all day from the North Esplanade to the old Aquarium at La Vallette, to allow for the half marathon, triathlon relay and cycling criterium.
Motorists parking in the field at the top of Le Val de Terres will have a choice of whether they want to park & stride or park & ride. A temporary bus stop at the north end of Fort Road means that people can hop on one of the scheduled buses that go down Colborne Road and into Town.
Extra cycle parks are being set up around Town and at some of the sporting venues. Temporary racks will be next to the existing cycle parks on North Beach and along the South Esplanade.
Many of the sporting venues do not have large car parks but do have ample areas for cycle parking. For instance, Victoria Avenue will be closed when the Guernsey men’s football team is playing their group matches at The Track, but there is a large area for bikes. Foote’s Lane will be closed from 1pm on the last day, Friday 14 July, because of the men’s football final and the closing ceremony.
States Traffic & Highway Services is setting up 20mph reduced speed limit zones that will be in operation from 7-14 July. These will in the areas around Delancey Park, Beau Sejour, Foote's Lane, Hougue du Pommier, and L'Ancresse Common.
The Health Improvement Commission has been working on walking routes between venues and have created walking signs and posters to go up at key venues including Beau Sejour, Foote’s Lane, and Hougue du Pommier. The posters highlight the distance and walking time to other Games venues. There are QR codes to scan which will link to walking directions on the guernsey2023.gg website. Primary schools are also getting into the Games spirit by joining walking buses so that fewer pupils are dropped off by car.
The expectation is that visiting athletes who are staying close to their venues will walk. Special Games route buses will operate three rotational loops between sporting venues and accommodation. These buses will only be for athletes, team officials and some members of the accredited media.
A transport hub at the new Perrot Court Sixth Form Centre at Elizabeth College will be mission control for the fleet of minibuses, coaches, and cars that will move teams around. This call centre will open from 8am till 10pm and it will be manned by approximately 20 volunteers.
In the western parishes, there are three races that will require temporary road closures. Thousands of leaflets were delivered to homes and businesses on the routes in February earlier this year and again last week. People are asked to read the leaflet so that they know what is happening and can plan ahead.
On the first day of competition this Sunday, there is no car parking at Rocquaine for the triathlon, but a field opposite Fort Grey will be set up as a dedicated cycle park. During road closures, pedal bikes can still be walked along the routes.
