The Tall Ships Races Hartlepool 2023 – traffic management measures

Hartlepool Borough Council has announced the details ahead of the world famous free, un-ticketed event which takes place from 6th-9th July.

The measures are a combination of full and partial road closures, prioritisation of traffic using the main A689/A179 routes in and out of town, adjustments to traffic lights, right turn bans at key town centre junctions and parking controls.

Assistant Director – Neighbourhood Services Kieran Bostock said: “Roads will inevitably be much busier than usual due to the large number of visitors expected, and the measures aim to manage this situation.

“We will have a number of electronic variable message signs on key routes providing “live” traffic information and route advice and we would ask visitors to watch out for these and to follow the guidance given.

“A network of temporary CCTV cameras will also be installed to supplement the permanent cameras around the town, to give improved traffic monitoring and the ability to respond more quickly to changing traffic conditions.”

The Council is asking local residents who need to travel around the town by car to carefully consider how best and when to do this over the four days of the event.

Mr Bostock said: “For example, they might want to think about changing their usual routine, including when they go to the supermarket, to avoid times of peak traffic flows.

“Where people have the option of working from home, then they should consider doing so during the event.

“In terms of residents attending the event, we have established a good network of park and ride/ walk facilities which should be utilised if you are unable to attend via public transport, walking or cycling. Residents should note that we will have increased parking enforcement in place during the event to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, so we would encourage residents to utilise the parking provided which can be booked in advance.”

To book parking visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/tallshipsparking

For people planning to cycle to the event, clearly-signed, free, safe and convenient on-site cycle parking/storage will be provided at the former Jackson’s Landing site and adjacent to Victoria Harbour.

The traffic management measures are listed below and a map showing their location can be viewed by clicking here

Traffic management measures

1. Middleton Road

Closed east of Marina Way to Navigation Point from 9am-1am, Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th July, and 6am-6pm, Sunday 9th July.

2. Harbour Walk

Closed for the duration of the event.

3. Maritime Avenue

Closed between the mini-roundabout at the entrance of the National Museum of the Royal Navy car park and Victoria Terrace. Access to the southern side of the marina will be maintained via the level crossing at the bottom of Church Street. Access to the car park at the rear of the Old Dock Office and Customs House flats on Victoria Terrace will also be maintained via this route.

4. Headland

A temporary permit zone to control parking covering the whole area will be in place for the duration of the event.

During the Crew Parade on Friday 7th July, which starts at 4.30pm, there will be short-term closures for around 10-15 minutes on Northgate, Durham Street and Marine Drive, immediately west of Corporation Road, while the parade passes. Once the parade has cleared each of these points, the roads will re-open, but there will be no access further onto the Headland during this period. The whole area will be very busy during the parade.

Old Cemetery Rd, from Leas Grove to Thorpe Street, will operate as a one-way system eastbound, to cater for park and ride bus drop off.

5. A689/Church Square junction

Right turns to be prevented both to and from the A689, with the central reserve gap to be closed. Straight ahead movements across the A689 will also be prevented.

6. A689/ Victoria Road junction

There will be no right turn from Victoria Road onto the A689 Stockton Street. Right turns from the A689 into Victoria Road will still be allowed.

7. A689/ Park Road/Huckelhoven Way junction

Right turns to be prevented both to and from the A689, with the central reserve gap to be closed. Straight ahead movements across the A689 will also be prevented.

8. A689 Stockton Road/ Belle Vue Way junction

No right turn from the A689 into Stockton Road, and no right turn from Stockton Road onto the A689.

9. Light-controlled pedestrian crossings, A179 Marina Way

Lights to remain operational, but there will be longer periods between red lights to maintain traffic flows, so pedestrians are asked to be patient.

10. Museum Taxi Rank

To be located for the duration of the event in the car park of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, parralel to the A179 Marina Way.

11. Northgate Taxi Rank and Blue Badge Drop-Off Area

To be located for the duration of the event in Northgate on the Headland close to the event site entrance.

12. A19/ A689 Wynyard

Both lanes on the northbound slip road will be signed for Hartlepool, with traffic in the left hand lane turning left towards Wynyard and then U-turning at the first roundabout. This will provide additional stacking space if required to avoid vehicles queuing back onto the A19. The traffic signals will also be adapted to give further priority to event traffic.

13. A689/ A1185 Wolviston roundabout

Traffic signals to remain operational on the west side of the roundabout, but switched off on the east side. This will facilitate control of heavy inbound traffic flows, whilst also reducing delays at the A689 leg leaving Hartlepool, where there is only a short stacking space between the eastbound and westbound carriageways.

14. A19/ A179 Sheraton

Right turn manoeuvres towards Wingate from the A19 southbound slip road will be prohibited, as will right turn manoeuvres from the A179 eastbound to turn south onto the A19. This will enable the signals on the east side of the junction to be switched off to reduce delays, while the signals on the west side of the junction will remain operational to cater for traffic leaving the A19 to turn right towards Hartlepool, and traffic wishing to join the A19 northbound.

The traffic management arrangements will be implemented at the following times:

Tuesday 4th July – 6pm onwards

A689 Stockton Road/ Belle Vue Way junction

A689 Stockton Street/ Park Rd/ Huckelhoven Way junction

A689 Stockton Street/ Victoria junction

A689 Stockton Street/ Church Square/ Clarence Rd junction

Wednesday 5th July – 8pm onwards

A19/A179 Sheraton junction

A689/A1185 Wolviston roundabout