Decision details

To consider representations made in relation to the above proposed road closure to facilitate the 2016 Marlborough Jazz Festival.

I approve:

(i)            A road closure beginning no earlier than 5pm until midnight on Saturday 16 July 2016 is approved, conditional on the prior submission and approval of an event plan that ensures public safety.

This decision was published on 1 July 2016 and will come into force on 11 July 2016.           

The Council has prepared a set of guidance notes for event organisers outlining a relatively simple procedure where temporary road closures are requested to facilitate special events.

The guidance note admits the possibility of unresolved objections – in that event, the guidance advises:

“…the Application and the Objection(s) will be passed to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Chair of the appropriate Area Board and the local Divisional Member, who will make the final decision as to whether or not the Closure should be permitted.”

It is clear that there are unresolved objections to the proposed closure, and a decision needs to be taken in that light.

To:

(i)            Implement the proposals as advertised.

(ii)           Not implement the proposals.

(iii)   Implement a closure beginning no earlier than 5pm with the proviso that Marlborough Arts Association submits an event plan that ensures public safety with the road being open prior to 5pm.

Consultations held during May and June 2016 sought views on, inter alia, a proposed road closure of New Road, High Street (Part), Kingsbury Street (Part) and The Parade (Part) in Marlborough between 10am and midnight on 16 July 2016 for the Marlborough Jazz Festival.

A total of 15 responses from individuals were received producing:

·                     6 responses against the road closure;

·                     8 responses against the road closure but would be happy for a 5pm closure; and

·                     1 response in support of the road closure.

At their meeting on 23 May 2016, Marlborough Town Council discussed the application and made the following resolution as its feedback:

“Marlborough Town Council objects to the application.  It would support a compromise with any road closure beginning at 5pm and 3 compromise options for the bandstand which would involve closing just The Parade or closing just the section of the highway running along High Street/Kingsbury Street from the Town Hall to Silverless Street or just New Road (the existing proposed site for the bandstand and part closure).”