Vanterpool calls for halt to $798K RT sidewalk project
People’s Leadership Movement leader Mark Vanterpool has called on the government to halt the DeCastro Street sidewalk project until it explains the proposed works and the planned removal of mature trees in Road Town.
The approximately $798,000 project is scheduled to begin on September 7 and will include improvements to sidewalks, parking areas, drainage and pedestrian accessibility.
“I want to support the government if they are undertaking a project in Road Town for the benefit of the country,” Vanterpool stated. “But they must explain the project clearly to the public so that we can understand what is being done and, where it is beneficial, we will put our support behind it.”
The Recovery and Development Agency signed a $798,108.74 contract with TMB Enterprises on July 30. The project aims to widen and level both sidewalks, improve wheelchair access and address complaints about uneven surfaces that pose a risk to pedestrians. It forms part of the government-funded Road Town Development Partnership.
Vanterpool said he had received numerous calls and messages from residents concerned that several mature trees would be uprooted.
He said many of the trees, planters and parking areas were established during improvement works undertaken in the early 2000s, when he represented Road Town.
“These trees have been established for nearly 30 years,” Vanterpool stated. “Before we remove them based on a promise that other trees will be planted, the public deserves to understand why their removal is necessary and exactly what will replace them.”
Vanterpool said the trees appeared healthy during a walk through the project area between Republic Bank and Bobby’s Marketplace. He acknowledged that officials may have concerns about their roots and the soil’s salinity but called for the publication of any supporting technical assessments.
“These trees have survived Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and several other storms. If there is credible technical evidence showing that they must be removed, then that evidence should be clearly explained,” Vanterpool stated.
He also opposed reported plans to alter the Road Town roundabout, saying the existing structure should be maintained.
Vanterpool asked the government to disclose the project’s full scope, cost breakdown, drainage improvements, expected disruptions, effects on parking and provisions for pedestrians and wheelchair users. He also sought details about the number and species of trees affected and their proposed replacements.
“My position is simple: hold the project for the moment and give the public more information,” Vanterpool stated. “Let us hear the reasons and understand the full picture.”
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Makes sense to me
The immediate impact of removing mature trees will be to make walking that area even hotter
I agree with him.
The sidewalks on DeCastro Street are perfectly fine, and the shade the trees provide is wonderful and a relief from the sun for many.
There are many other areas which have dangerous sidewalks which could use the attention instead of this project.
If the government took a loan for over 523 million dollars to fix the roads and infrastructure ect, why would they need another $798K to cut down trees and redesign sidewalks? What the hell is wrong with these people? It almost reminds me of when they took a loan to paint the trees a few years ago.
hush yo ms is only cause he partner them want the work he talking f##k get ayo greedy a** go sit down somewhere buh plm movement go sit your old greedy a** down
y you don’t find another name to blog on or under you illiterate fool. I have to change mines every other week because of young, dumb lads like yourself.
If i was getting the contract I will be upset with mark too.. yhats just like everybody looking out for their pocket not many of us are reallu true to ourselves.. including myself it takes time we always want the benefit of.monies..its human error i guess.
Those wishing to remove the territory’s British status and go upmarket, will be pleased that the word “sidewalk”, rather than “pavement”, has become the accepted vernacular; along with “city” rather than “town”.
Roger in my experience The Americans are more practical in just about everything then the British. Because the british system is based on classism , processes , launguage , law have been developed to keep the elites in power. America with its vast population and land mas could not afford that luxuray and had to be much more egalitarian in its approach to governing and building the country. The British make everything overly complex particularly law and launguage to purposely keep the underclass under , while Americans streamline everything and make it easy. A clear example if you juxtapose getting thing done in the British vs US Virgin Islands. That is why you see so much innovation coming out of the US.
Be careful with this fellow in yellow
Why he didnt hault the Pier Park? Big Open Craft Alive that is. We could of had an indoor mall with all the money wasted out there.
Loose and deh Corner lady dont see eye 2 eye so she gah her brudder undermining all her projects
There is literally no problem with the sidewalks on De Castro street. They are some of the better sidewalks in town. The government just want to look like they’re doing something. What about the lack of sidewalks down Main Street or near the school? No one wants the removal of some of the only things making Road Town look nice. We need more trees not less.
Them putting trees back tho, yall just like making noise in this place for NOTHING!
The roots invasive and causing damage to the sidewalk but how will some of you know, awyo does walk anywhere? and what about wheel chair accessibility?
I look forward to the changes
“Them putting back trees tho”
Sooooo, are they putting back trees with no roots (that won’t cause a problem in the future), or are they putting in shrubs that come waist high and provide no shade?
Let’s not forget hurricanes. Are they going to withstand major hurricanes as well???
Invasive roots wasn’t a thought when planted the said trees ?
Wise suggestion!
Just leave the trees alone!!!
And the cost, wow. The replacement trees must be made of gold and diamonds because putting in side walks that are totally fine can’t cost that amount of money. Why don’t we get these ignoramuses out of our House of Assembly? Please!! They just spending money like if you give your high school child a ton of money unsupervised. Just blowing our money on bull shiggidy. Please vote wisely this election. BVI has to have better money managers than this crew who are bragging about the biggest budget in the history of the Virgin Islands.
Mark is to greedy the business community do not want him in
Yo no se
This lady signing her political death warrant and that if VIP party, you want see waste of money, look at the bank of Asia $5 million USD and Vybz Kartel quarter million USD and now a Jamaican company $2.5 million USD and all them party and traveling that VIP is doing, and no water in the pipes and roads and sewage crisis, we just not getting nothing done, only the boyish fantasies of natalio to go on stage and gyrate beside Vybz Kartel and touring the world hallowing colonialism while he fly around the world to meet them even without invitations.
These trees that this lady gone interfere with would never do anything to impact the lives of pensioners or the country , but I hear it’s a dear close family plant nursery will jackpot nearly a million dollars for flowers trees.
You left out upper main street where the Spaniards have took control, their bars -brotels on one side and restaurant and clothing store on the othe side are on the EDGE of the street ,and seems like the government is OK with with that sh*t / and after you pass the THEM going down take a walk on the STREET going down and enjoy the view for yourself ( or hold miss * LUce * hand and take her for a little walk on main street so she can see for herself and plead with her to tidy up main street and preserve the history of main street ~ if she has any pride , dignity And respect for its HISTORY •
I would have seen the need to do this project if the conditions were like the tree by the high school where the tree has distributed the side walk, but something seems off here? Loose, you and the leasers of the RDA are going Nutts. The price to do this projects is outrageous. The plan seems like a fundraiser for reelection and to top up your cronies. You will piss off the public, distribute the look of Christmas and cause the town to be hotter. This project is dead on arrival
It is all in the SECRET AIRPORT report.
Ask for that.
Removing trees is a bad idea as they give shade and also O2. Having seen areas where people live with few trees it’s something very unpleasant to see.