BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TO ease the congestion that regularly takes place in particular areas around Basseterre, the Traffic Department has informed that parking restrictions in would be in place, and that it is possible these could be made permanent.
SKNVibes understands that the Department is turning its attention to a number of areas along the Bay Road, which have proved problematic because parking was allowed mostly on both sides of that thoroughfare.
Head of the Department Inspector Carl Caines told this publication that the areas of concern are those streets that lie between C&C Supermarket and the Food Centre outlet, Lower Shear Lane and College Street Ghaut and the portion of road in front of the John Gumbs building.
He informed that on the stretch of road between C&C and the Food Centre outlet, no parking would be allowed on the mountain side of the road. And on the stretch of road sitting between Lower Shear Lane and College Street Ghaut, parking on the seaside of the road would be prohibited.
The custom is that traffic along the Bay Road is allowed to flow into West Independence Square Street. However Inspector Caines told SKNVibes that for the Carnival Season that would be disallowed. Additionally, some parking restrictions would be implemented for the stretch of road in front of the John Gumbs building.
Caines said his Department has taken note of the congestion which unbridled parking causes and he expects that because the Carnival Season is getting into full swing, the congestion would worsen, hence the reason for implementing the restrictions.
Some of these restrictions were implemented on Friday (Dec. 11) and the others are expected to be implemented today (Dec. 14).
The Traffic Department has indicated that considerable difference has been observed in the flow of traffic since the restrictions have been in place.
Inspector Caines said during the Carnival/Christmas Season, the Department would be closely monitoring the flow of vehicle traffic in these and other areas and would make a determination if these restrictions would be made permanent in the New Year.
