Funding for Road Town facelift not confirmed

The government has launched the Road Town Partnership (RTP), a new public-private initiative aimed at modernizing and maintaining the territory’s capital, but full funding for the project has not yet been finalized.

According to Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, RTP will have an 11-member board that will work with stakeholders to identify the resources needed to transform and maintain Road Town’s infrastructure, appearance, ambience, and user-friendliness.

The leader said the work of RTP will span the commercial and civic area from the Prospect Reef roundabout to the Purcell roundabout and will touch parts of the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth electoral districts.

However, when asked about the timeline for completion and the funds set aside to make the plan a reality, Premier Wheatley said those things are yet to be determined.

“The RTP is a means to facilitate a number of projects so the final list of projects is not yet fully costed. That’s part of the job of the board and most likely it will be an ongoing partnership so it won’t necessarily have an end,” Premier Wheatley said.

He added that the government has already committed just over one million dollars to kickstart projects, adding that $500,000 will be released for spending this year.

“We’ve made a commitment for five million dollars over the next five years, hoping that our partners will be able to match that. We do have a lot of successful business people in the room,” the Premier said at the launch ceremony on April 4.

Although many public-private partnerships have been criticised over the years, the Premier expressed confidence that this one will work, highlighting the importance of Road Town to businesses and residents alike.

The RTP will be co-chaired by a private-sector representative and a government representative. The members will ensure that the business community and residents are engaged, consulted and heard as they develop the Plan.  They will also be charged with making decisions that benefit Road Town, its businesses, its residents, its visitors and the wider territory.