BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT is no secret that the motoring population increases during the Christmas/Carnival season, which gives rise to congestion in the island’s capital, Basseterre. And as such, the Traffic Department has implemented several restrictions that should prevent bottlenecks.
Head of the Traffic Department Inspector Carl Caines told SKNVibes that there are more than 20,000 vehicles on St. Kitts, many of which pass through the Basseterre area daily. And with the Christmas and Carnival seasons getting into full swing, he said other vehicles including more than 1,000 rented ones would be traversing the streets of the city.
He said the restrictions, which take effect from December 1, include parking limitations and traffic flow constraints.
• No parking permitted along the portion of the Bay Road between Fort and West Independence Square Streets (that is in front of Inland Revenue and the General Post Office);
• No traffic would be permitted to flow northward along West Independence Square and Adlam Streets;
• Traffic travelling southward along those roads would only be permitted to turn left (east) onto the Bay Road. Anyone needing to travel westward along that road would have to go around the roundabout on the eastern end of Port Zante (in front of the Sands Complex) then head west;
• Parking would be restricted on the seaside of the stretch of the Bay Road in front of Coury’s Hardware; and
• Parking on the mountain side of the road between the front of the Island Bakery Deli is also restricted.
The Inspector explained that when specific events are being held, special restrictions would be in place.
“Bank Street would be closed to the motoring public; however, parking at the TDC Parking Lot would be accessible for the employees of the company. Entrance to the parking lot will not be obstructed. The no entry into Bank Street would not be applicable to the TDC employees who would be accessing the parking lot there.
“Liverpool Row - From the Courts road to Ashbury’s - would be the taxi drop off and pickup point. This means parking would not be allowed for the general public in that area. This is because The Circus would be a hub of Carnival activity and it would be necessary to shift the taxi operators to a different but nearby location.”
The Traffic Head informed that the motoring public should keep its eyes and ears peeled as other restrictions are likely to be enforced as specific Carnival activities are being held. For example, he reminded that on parade days no parking would be allowed along the parade route.
Motorists in violation of this restriction would have their vehicle towed and it would only be returned after the towing fee would have been paid.
For the time being however, the Inspector explained that traffic restrictions would be applicable during the day and relaxed in the evening, unless an activity, which requires that they be maintained, is being held at night.
He said portable signage, traffic police and traffic wardens would be around the Basseterre area enforcing the law, giving directions and instruction with a view to preventing possible congestion.
He asked for the public’s cooperation, including pedestrians, and called for drivers to exercise patience and courtesy especially during the month of December and early January.
