Residents warned of car ban for marathon

DRIVERS have been warned that parking authorities will be taking no prisoners on Commonwealth Games marathon day – Sunday, April 15.

Cars found parked along the course or in tow-away zones set up in side streets will be removed.

And residents living along the marathon route have been warned they will not be able to use their vehicles once the roads are closed – in most cases for about 12 hours.

They have been urged instead to either use public transport while their street is closed to traffic, to stay home and “embrace the race’’, or to park elsewhere the night before if they think they will need to use their car while the marathon events are running.

Get Set for the Games flyers delivered to households close to the marathon course warn residents to note road closure times and parking restrictions, and to plan ahead.

No parking will be allowed along the entire 42km Gold Coast Commonwealth Games marathon course, which starts in the Southport Parklands, follows Marine Pde north to the turn at Runaway Bay before looping back to Southport, through Main Beach and down the coast to the southern turn at Justin Park, Burleigh, and back to Southport.

But it is drivers hoping to snare a spot in side streets who will have to be careful. Noparking, tow-away zones will be set up for 20m in every side street along the course.

Roads affected by the marathon will be closed from 12.30am the night before. Some will reopen by 10.30am, but most will not be opened up to traffic again until between midday and 1pm.

A council spokesman said yesterday: “Our advice to residents is visit Getsetforthegames.com to be informed about what is happening in their street and whether street parking will be permitted.’’