Gov’t to re-examine Main Street two-way plan
The government has promised to have a second look at a plan to implement two-way traffic on a section of Main Street in Road Town.
A shift was introduced several weeks ago to allow for two-way traffic along a section of Main Street between the foot of Joe’s Hill by the Road Town Methodist Cemetery to the intersection of Main Street and Flemming Street.
Public Works Minister Kye Rymer said at the time, “We have recognised that many motorists may want to head up through Joe’s Hill Road or perhaps even to Long Bush or Lower Estate and become caught up in the traffic along Waterfront Drive heading towards Purcell Estate and beyond.”
He added: “We want to alleviate that daily frustration. Our plan is to create an outlet whereby motorists can now take the Shore Way Drive road, a left onto Flemming Street, and a right onto Main Street, and proceed up Joe’s Hill Road or anywhere else.”
However, the government was forced to abort that plan after it created additional problems for motorists and business owners in particular in the vicinity. Several business owners complained that the increased traffic would negatively affect their businesses.
Fourth District Representative Luce Hodge-Smith told reporters at a press conference on Friday that the project was now postponed indefinitely.
“Minister Rymer, in consultation with the Premier and myself, decided that the project will be put on hold in terms of the two-way traffic until we can meet with the stakeholders in the area,” Hodge-Smith said. “They did write to the Premier expressing their concerns, and the response was going back to them to meet with them and find out what their concerns are.”
She explained that she previously met with some stakeholders before proceeding on an overseas trip recently, but suggested that consultations could have been broader.
She said a community meeting was held last week — which she attended with Minister Rymer and other officials; giving business owners an opportunity to air their concerns and make suggestions on a new way forward.
“We are a growing country, we have a lot of traffic, and I don’t think that the idea was to intentionally disrupt the business of the people in that particular area,” Hodge-Smith said. “But we wanted to address a particular area with the congestion and that was a suggestion.”
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the change would benefit thousands. A handful of businesses, bars mostly, should not hold up the project.
Can anyone recall that this was an idea birthed by Mark? I wonder why he didn’t execute it. Trying to execute a plan that you don’t comprehend always ends bad. Make it worse he turned that section of road to a 2-way
That road needs to become a pedestrian thoroughfare from the bottom of Purple Palace hill to Skelton Bldg. period! Soft picnic lights and benches for people to sit and have lunch. Can lay bricks or cobblestones as the road design. Create another historic walking tour and economic zone. Tourists could walk without risk of being hit by cars.
Park your darned vehicles and walk or use the free trolleys. You need the exercise! Close off that road!
The 4D member of the HOA should have skipped her expensive/no result trip to Monaco, stayed in the BVI and resolved this Main Street problem.
Unless there is a parking deck built somewhere in town for the spill over to be accommodated, making it a pedestrian area will not work. It’s time we have a few 2 level parking structures, built properly around the city area and that will make a huge difference not only for main street but for all of town which is strewn with illegal parking that makes the place look ugly and chaotic.
This area needs to be a pedestrian zone — no through traffic unless at early hours of the morning or late in the evening. Look at the beauty of the historic area of Charlotte Amelia
The obvious sign of a feckless leadership, sticking on the same problem and not seeing other ways to develop this territory. The A** Clown Brigade in full effect
How above redirect the traffic between Flemming Street and Jose Hill to the opposite? So, instead of a westward direction motorists will take an easterly one from Flemming onto Mainstreet.
The objective is to alleviate congestion to the roundabout. Has the Minister and the District Rep considered this, instead of trying to force two-way traffic on that itsy bitsy road?
She her attendance there was the same as her absence. They just taking as many trips as they can before the plug is pulled.
The photo above is not the location where the change is being considered. Please change it!
Main Street is not wide enough for a two way lane. All I see is vehicles rubbing against each other while passing each other in both directions.
The change forced on the town by the minister responsible does not work. Admit the folly of thy ways, Honorable, beg forgiveness and change back.
A neat pedestrian cobblestoned walkway with a trolley (maybe) is how I see that street.
A 2way of cars inching behind or even stuck because of an accident or mechanical
— other horn blowing…not good.
A proper bus service so we stop using cars is the answer. Remember we built all the bus stops when it was promised before. What happened to that scheme?
flip flop flip flop
Why are we exposing our dirty linen in public? It is bad enough for one lane of motorists and their passengers to see this fast-growing shanty town at the head of our Main Street.
Why expose more people to this horrible eyesore? It has been festering for much too long and does not speak well of our capital.
For starters you can look at cleaning it up!
The whole road needs to be shut down and pedestrian conducive. Repave, beautify add bins and covered picnic tables.
The need to allow traffic to be two way in front of First Bank.