Second pavement closes on Devils Tower Road for private residential development

Two major pedestrian walkways along Devil's Tower Road - one on each side - are now closed off for private developments.

The Government has apologised for the inconvenience, but says it is committed to enhancing pedestrian infrastructure in the long-term.

For seven months, ever since the fire at the Coviran Supermarket, the site has remained seemingly inactive. Demolition works have now started, but the pavement adjacent to it is still inaccessible, and might be for some time.

The proposed design for Monument Place and Monument Plaza is to build a residential development over the existing car-park.

There was also a plan to build the new Gibraltar College to the west of that, but the college will now be built in the South District.

In order for the development to go ahead, the developers have sealed off the entire pedestrian walkway from the Holiday Inn Express to the Cross of Sacrifice.

It means there are now two walkways pedestrians can’t use – they must cross the road twice on one of Gibraltar’s businest arteries. Every crossing means a red light, every red light means traffic tailbacks.

Devil’s Tower Road is now home to more people than ever before. Beach View And Hassan Cenenery Terraces, E1, Clemence Suites, Filomina House, Citihome, and the Hub have all gone up in the last decade, and with them have come thousands of families. Many of them commute on foot.

We asked the Government the following questions:

• Whether the potential impact on traffic flow and pedestrian movement was considered before approval was given for the closure of the pavement.
• Whether any steps are being taken with the owners of the former Coviran building to ensure the pavement outside can be reopened.
• Whether the current situation is consistent with the objectives of the STTPP, which encourages walking as a mode of transport.

The following is their reply:

The existing Coviran building is scheduled for demolition in the coming weeks, with preparatory works having already commenced. The subsequent construction of the foundations, which will involve excavation several metres underground, requires the adjacent footpath to remain closed for health and safety reasons.

In order to mitigate the impact of this closure, the developer/contractor fully funded the installation of two new light-controlled pedestrian crossings on either side of the development area. These crossings, which have been operational for several months, ensure that pedestrians can cross safely and continue their journeys in both directions.

As a result, both pedestrian and vehicular flows have been maintained, with traffic fluidity remaining unaffected. In addition to this, the Gibraltar Electricity Authority is also actively reviewing the signal timings to maximise efficiency for both pedestrians and vehicles.

The closure of the footpath forms part of the agreed construction management plan with the developer. The mitigation measures in place, including the relocated pedestrian crossings and associated safety infrastructure, were funded entirely by the developer/contractor. The footpath will remain closed only for as long as is strictly necessary to ensure public safety during the demolition and foundation phases.

Further phases will be reviewed with the contractor to explore the possibility of re-opening the footpath in future. With regards to the Monument Plaza development, the crossing points on the western and eastern sides has allowed for pedestrians to be diverted to the southern footpath.

Again, this footpath closure is necessary to allow for the construction of the building above the existing multi-storey car park, and for health and safety reasons, it was deemed too dangerous to have pedestrian access under the construction site by the developers.

Furthermore, a significant number of directional pedestrian signs have been installed from the Sundial Roundabout to the Holiday Inn Express, providing advance warning to pedestrians and directing them to the new light-controlled crossings so they may continue their journeys safely in both directions.

Although it is an inconvenience to have to cross several times to continue the journey on foot, every effort has been taken to minimise the disruption at all times.

The Government has recently installed pedestrian guardrails along a considerable length of Devil’s Tower Road to enhance pedestrian safety, a measure which has been positively received by members of the public. These additional arrangements are consistent with the objectives of the Sustainable Traffic and Transport Plan (STTPP), which encourages walking safely and providing alternatives to vehicular transport.

While temporary diversions are unfortunately unavoidable when developments of this nature take place so close to the road and footpaths, the Technical Services Department and the Ministry of Transport continue to take considerable steps to minimise disruption to both pedestrians and vehicle users on Devil’s Tower Road.

HM Government of Gibraltar wishes to thank the public for their cooperation during these essential works and apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Be assured that, in parallel with managing the necessary temporary arrangements, the Government remains firmly committed to enhancing pedestrian infrastructure along Devil’s Tower Road in the long term, recognising the increasing levels of pedestrian activity and the importance of promoting walking as a safe and sustainable mode of transport.