DRIVERS have once again been asked to use common sense and to avoid the busiest roads during this year’s Scottish Widows Parish Walk.
Organisers have told support teams following competitors to avoid tracking walkers for long periods and to make plans beforehand to reduce traffic congestion which has been a massive problem for many years.
The race has started at 8am for a number of years in order to miss the early morning traffic in Douglas and this has worked extremely well with the vast majority of walkers having reached Glen Vine within the first hour of the event.
However, traffic problems have continued to cause major congestion in the south of the Island throughout the morning and early afternoon, leading to a number of new ideas for this year’s walk.
These include one-way traffic systems at various points and several new ‘no-stopping’ zones (listed below) between the start and Peel.
Organisers said this week, “Do you really need to follow your walker to Peel?” suggesting that supporters should avoid using the course route wherever possible.
A spokesman said, “There are plenty of drinks available along the course and walkers can also carry small back packs with waterproof clothes and essential supplies. Remember also that you can follow the progress of walkers online or via Manx Telecom's text service.
“One option is to stay at home on standby and ask your walker to telephone you if they develop a problem.”
For those who intend to follow walkers around the course, the organisers have offered the following advice:
1. Display the walker's number on your car.
2. Do not drive alongside a walker or otherwise drive in a way that is disruptive or dangerous to other drivers. Follow the Highway Code the same as you should when you are driving at any other time.
3. Take particular care when choosing where to stop. Drive a little further than you might like to ensure that you are safe.
4. Use your hazard warning lights.
5. Wear high viability clothing (you must wear a reflective bib beyond Peel).
6. Rather than driving along the course, consider the use of alterative roads to get to your next stopping point (take a map with you).
7. Do you really need to stop as often as some supporters do? The walkers have probably trained over long distances without any cars for support.
8. Respect private property and hedges along the course.
9. Do not litter the countryside.
10. Particularly at night time, please do not make excessive noise outside private houses (not everyone wants to stay up all night for the Parish Walk).
These are the “No Stopping Zones”:
• On the A1 Peel Road from Braddan Bridge to Union Mills.
• On the A26 St Marks Road between the Braaid Roundabout and the turn off for the Cleaynagh Road.
• On the Castletown Road from the junction with the Cleaynagh Road to the junction with the Oatlands Road.
• On the Castletown Road from the junction with the Old Castletown Road to the junction with the Orrisdale Road.
• On the St Marks to Ballasalla Road from the junction with the Orrisdale Road to Ballasalla.
The following roads are one way only and, subject to the normal precautions about safety, are suitable for parking:
• The Glen Darragh Road
• The Oatlands Road
• The Old Castletown Road
• The Ballasalla to Ballabeg Road
• Malew Road (new for 2011)
• Church Road, Rushen
• The Sloc Road
• The Dalby Road
Only one support vehicle is permitted per competitor on the closed roads. Camper vans or larger vehicles are not recommended and support vehicles must display race numbers.
In contrast to the desire to limit the number of supporting vehicles in the early stages, walkers continuing beyond Peel must have a support vehicle in attendance. The requirement to wear a reflective bib will be rigidly enforced and bibs will be on sale at the check-in.
Time penalties will be applied to the walker if their attendants do not follow these rules.
See also: "New feeding stations and toilet facilities for Parish Walk competitors"
"Road closures and one-way routes for Parish Walk"
"Parish Walk: checkpoint cut-off times"
