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STORNOWAY
HARBOUR:
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT REVIEW: CONSULTATION MAY 2006
The
Port Authority is entering into a consultation with
its stakeholders to assess the impact of its proposal
to introduce traffic calming measures in the way of
Esplanade Quay at its juncture with North Beach and
South Beach .
These
proposals were approved in principle at a recent Board
meeting, whereby the Harbour Master was tasked with
initiating this consultation phase, prior to making
any change to the current access routes and thoroughfares.
In the interests of all stakeholders, especially those who conduct business within the harbour area, Stornoway Port Authority is in the process of reviewing traffic flows around the harbour area and is minded to introduce some changes with regard to vehicular access to Esplanade Quay from North and South Beach.
These changes result from the creation of a Freight Marshalling Area adjacent to the Number 1 Pier Linkspan and a number of other changes presently taking place within close proximity to the harbour resulting in increased traffic movement to the detriment of safety of personnel going about their daily work, at or near the quayside. As an example, the Port Authority gets frequent reports of cars snagging on nets whilst being repaired on piers.
The
main thrust of the Traffic Management Review is to ensure
that authorised persons who have legitimate business
to conduct on the piers may do so freely and without
hindrance. To best support this initiative, the
following measures are being considered:
- 1. The
vehicular gate on Esplanade Quay will be closed, apart
from opening for a short period in the evening, to aid
the landing of fish and transfer to vans on the Esplanade
Quay. Vehicular access/egress to/from North Beach/Inner
Harbour will be maintained to authorised users
via barrier on North
Beach.
Service vehicles will be permitted to access Esplanade
Quay from the north by the Fish Mart.
- 2. The
use of Esplanade Quay as an extension to the No. 1 Marshalling
Area will no longer be permitted for HGV use.
Pick-ups and deliveries to/from the Fishermen’s
Co-operative and Fish Mart will be via North
Beach
only.
- 3. The
gate on South
Beach,
by Stornoway Shipping Services Offices, will be closed
for the best part, again opened as required to accommodate
freight ferry traffic, and to allow limited access to
the Esplanade Quay in the evening.
-
4. The
"domino" card reader at North
Beach barrier will be upgraded to the modern equivalent,
as it is becoming more difficult to maintain.
This is seen as a primary requirement before it becomes
totally obsolete. Authorised users currently
in possession of cards will be notified well in advance
before this change takes place.
Traffic
within the port area is showing phenomenal growth year
on year and for example in 2005, the following volumes
were safely accommodated:
- Passengers ..........................
183,000
- Cars .....................................
47,000
- Commercial
vehicles ........... 12,000 (156,00
metres)
- Coal ......................................
5,800 tonnes
- Cement .................................
4,000 tonnes
- Road
salt ..............................
14,000 tonnes
- Oil
and Gas ..........................
36,000 tonnes
- Value
of Fish Landed .......... £2,036,888.00
- Number
of Vessel Berthings.... 1259
With these ever increasing cargo volumes, passenger/car numbers, and associated customer demands, we strive continuously to operate within the confines of the harbour boundaries whilst paying due regard to our own staff and public safety.
The Authority is aware of the existing pressure on Public Car Parking areas within the town, and in fact provides over 90% of the public car parking spaces in the town, at South Beach Quay, Perceval Square and North Beach, Maritime Buildings and Number 1 Pier. The Authority also provides the land for the Bus Station and Ferry Terminal at South Beach Street. The Port Authority Board gave due consideration to all these facts at a recent meeting, and it was unanimously agreed to initiate a consultation process to assess the impact of any vehicular access constraints to this part of the harbour. The changes being considered will only affect the minority, who currently see Esplanade Quay as an extension of the main highway, as opposed to a working pier.
I was tasked by the Board to consult with stakeholders, service companies and any other parties with a genuine requirement to access Esplanade Quay in their day-to-day operations. This consultation process allows you to consider the implications of these measures (if any) on your operation, and respond accordingly, if deemed necessary. Also, feel free to contact the Harbour Office if you require further clarification.
Any
feedback should be returned to Harbour Master/Depute
Chief Executive, no later than 16 June 2006.
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