 |
[Feedback] |
|
Government has Major Plans for Castries Parking
|
Government has Major Plans for Castries Parking
|
|
Contact: Ayodele Hippolyte Thursday, September 21, 2000 – Approximately 650 vehicles are said to descend into the capital each day creating immense parking difficulties with which St. Lucians are all too familiar. The Ministry of Communications and Works has devised a detailed plan that will hopefully respond adequately to these difficulties and presented this plan to the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce at a consultation held on Thursday, September 21 at the Caribbees Hotel. The ministry’s plan in part, came out of a survey it carried out among the business community in 1996, which focused on the parking needs of that community. Chief Transport Officer, Annette Augustin, who made the presentation, said that the plan encompasses the interests of the business community and residential concerns as well. The ministry proposes a paid on street parking system that would utilize a voucher payment mechanism. Augustin explained that the voucher would be similar to a scratch card that the motorist would purchase from an authorized dealer. These vouchers would be valid for up to two hours for short term parking in designated zones. On arrival at the parking zone, a parking attendant would monitor the motorist as he/she enters the date and time of arrival on the voucher. If a motorist leaves his/her vehicle beyond the allotted time, he/she will be fined the cost of the additional time spent in the parking area. The ministry has earmarked a number of areas for parking: St. Louis St., Coral St., High St., Micoud St., Victoria St., Upper Mongiraud St., Mary Ann St. and Chisel St. These areas would also accommodate loading and off-loading zones for businesses operating in the city. Certain streets will be designated as no parking zones so that they can be clear for emergency service vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances. They are Manoel St., Brazil St., Jeremie St. and the Chaussee. Parking for the handicapped has also been taken into consideration. Micoud Street, Bridge Street, a section of the Boulevard and some parts of the market area have been designated as parking for the handicapped. In addition, ramps will be placed in these areas to meet the special needs of their users. Banks will also be assigned reserved parking to facilitate the safe transport of cash to their vaults. Long-term parking will be available for residents and workers in the heart of the city but this will be implemented on a phased basis. In fact, Mrs. Augustin stressed that the entire plan would have to be introduced in phases because of a major stumbling block - the absence of a bus terminal. She admitted, "If we are to properly address the issue of parking in the city, the bus stands would be the first element that must be addressed in order to ensure the success of the parking strategy within the city of Castries". Bus stands are estimated to occupy about fifty per cent of parking space in the city creating congestion along the main streets of the capital. Mrs. Augustin said that there are on-going discussions about an appropriate location for a bus terminal in Castries and is optimistic that a solution will be found sooner rather than later. The Ministry of Communication and Works has already presented this plan to the Castries City Council and the Traffic Department of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force who might be involved in the enforcement strategy of this undertaking. There is no information yet on what the cost of this parking system will be or how soon it will take effect. Mrs. Augustin emphasized that the ministry’s plan is not cast in stone and will be subject to review by all groups involved before it is finally implemented. |
|
© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
