Changes to Jersey International Motoring Festival plans causes 'major disruption and financial loss'

The Jersey International Motoring Festival has announced several changes to this year's event. It comes after plans were rejected to close the Avenue for Thursday 2 June and Friday 3 June .

The festival was supposed to include a 'rolling roadshow' of vintage vehicles along Victoria Avenue on 2 June, followed by the Queens Pageant and Motor event throughout the following day.

Organisers say they have been forced to change plans, as they can no longer close the Avenue for the events on those days.

The Queen’s Pageant will still take place on Friday but will now move to Broad Street from 10:30am.

The start time for the Motoring Festival Sprint will be moved back to 6:30pm and remain on Victoria Avenue; similar to previous years.

However, organisers have said the late notice will now cause "major financial loss" to vendors.

Organisers say that paperwork for the event was submitted to the ministers department on 10 February.

A Government of Jersey spokesperson said: “It was felt that closing Victoria Avenue during the day on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June would not be viable due to the conflict with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon initiative.

"There was concern about the lack of consultation with stakeholders and residents, and parish officials were also concerned about the traffic impact and resourcing, with many other Jubilee celebrations and a major dance event already scheduled.

"The closure would also have meant limiting access to the promenade and cycle track on a public holiday. Closing the Avenue on a Bank Holiday would only realistically be viable for an evening event.”