Friday, July 20 2012

Works and Infrastructure Minister, Emmanuel George, yesterday reminded citizens that the experimental traffic scheme in the St James and Woodbrook area was not concrete.

The new traffic plan took effect from midnight Sunday. Ariapita Avenue and Tragarete Road are now one-way going east and west respectively. Several persons have expressed their disagreement with the plan, including businessmen who said they have lost business since the plan has been put in place. Some have said the plan has caused more traffic in certain areas while members of the travelling public have said it has made it difficult for them to get taxis.

At the post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, George noted the plan was experimental, which meant it is monitored continuously so it can be tweaked.

“You can always shift what you had initially put in place, and utilise some other means to deal with the traffic situation in that scheme, it is not cast in concrete,” he said. He continued, “It is only four days yet into the scheme, it is a three month scheme, I think we have to let things settle down.

“There are certain adjustments we would make, and we are monitoring the scheme on a regular basis.” He said he welcomes comments from the general public because they are using the routes on which the scheme is implemented.

George addressed concerns that drivers wsere now speeding on some of the major roads in Woodbrook. He said what the ministry may do is, place signs to encourage persons to slow down. He added they were also considering putting up some pedestrian crossings along the thoroughfares, so it can slow the traffic down and make the road safer for pedestrians in particular.