BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMPLAINTS concerning traffic congestion in certain portions of the Newtown area have given rise to consideration by the Traffic Department to impose specific restrictions.
SGT Calvin Amory of that Department explained to SKNVibes that, according to the numerous complaints received, the portion of George Street that runs directly to the front of the Immaculate Conception Catholic School is of particular concern.
“We have received complaints and we also realise that traffic is flowing in both directions along that road and that is causing some congestion, especially during specific times. When people drop off or collect their children from school, they tend to stop exactly in front of the school and this causes an impediment to the flow of traffic.”
The proposal therefore, according to SGT Amory, is that traffic travelling north to south along Stainfort Street would not be allowed to turn right onto George Street. He explained that should this consideration be instituted, it would only be effective during the hours 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
He said complaints have also been made specifically about the Stainforth Street area.
“The complaints we have received about that street are that there is considerable difficulty at times to either enter or exit the southern end of that street, especially with vehicles parked on both sides of the road. So the consideration for that is, persons travelling west to east along George Street would not be allowed to turn left onto Stainforth Street during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.”
Issues have also been raised in relation to Douglas Street and Lower Pitcairn Street (located in Newtown). These – according to Amory - run north to south and the southern ends form junctions with the Bay Road.
He explained that difficulty arises when the view of persons attempting to exit via that side of the road is obstructed by persons who are legally parked on the mountain side of the road.
The SGT told this publication that he is mindful of the need for a study to be conducted in relation to the flow of traffic around the Basseterre area, but explained that in the meantime “we have to do something to try and ease congestion. So until that is done we have to put something in place, and this is our proposal”.
He indicated that the same issue was being experienced with Brumble Street (located next to Fulton’s Bakery) and is now a one-way street where traffic is allowed only to flow from south to north.
Members of the public are encouraged to forward their suggestions and comments concerning these issues to the Traffic Department, which can be reached via telephone number 4652241 EXT 215 or 264 or by emailing trafficdepartment@gov.kn
