Use alternatives and plan ahead is Games travel advice

ISLANDERS should plan next week’s journeys ahead as the NatWest Island Games gets under way this weekend.

A free ‘park and stride’ at the top of Le Val des Terres is one of the alternative travel options being promoted for Island Games week. Left to right, Alex Costen from thr Health Improvement Commission, Anne Thomas, co-director for Games logistics, transport hub volunteers and Colin Le Page from Traffic and Highways Services. (Picture by Luke Le Prevost, 32273194)

Alternative options are being organised, such as park & strides, extended cycle parks, special walking routes for visitors and free buses in a bid to reduce traffic congestion during the Games.

Games logistics co-director Anne Thomas said the emphasis was on trying to keep all forms of travel moving.

‘We want to make it as easy as possible for people to use active travel or public transport.

‘We’re aware that, despite the mitigations, there will be inconvenience and delay for some motorists in hotspots like Town, the Footes Lane area, and on the west coast and St Peter’s triangle, but we’d like to thank people for their support and patience while the island proudly plays host to such a fabulous event.’

She encouraged people to plan their journeys in advance and not to rely on their usual travel arrangements.

A free ‘park & stride’ will be set up in the field at the top of Le Val de Terres for the week, and the north end of Fort Road will become a temporary park & ride bus stop.

Reduced speed limits of 20mph will be in effect in areas around Delancey Park, Beau Sejour, Footes Lane, Hougue du Pommier and L’Ancresse Common.

Additional ‘park & strides’ for the opening ceremony and on a busy Friday in Town will be situated at Ladies’ College, Sir Charles Frossard House and Beau Sejour.

Parking in Town could be difficult for Saturday’s opening ceremony as thousands are expected to line the seafront and with North Beach, Crown Pier and Albert Pier all closed to traffic.

And the seafront will be closed on the final Friday of the Games as it hosts three medal events across the day.

Buses will be free next week but are still subject to dozens of cancellations.

The CT Plus website shows 31 services cancelled this week.

A spokesman for the company did not say how many services would continue to be cancelled into next week, only confirming that some routes would be changed due to Games events taking place.

Free bus travel will happen from Friday until the end of the Games a week later.