With the reopening of schools on Monday, police are anticipating that there will be a heavy flow of traffic into Kingstown.
As a result, Superintendent Kenneth John, head of the Traffic Department outlined that as of today (Friday) motorist travelling into Kingstown via Richmond Hill public road can now do so from Girls High School by traversing the McKies Hill public road between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., then onto White Chapel road and exit left or right in the vicinity of St. Vincent Building and Loan Association.
Motorists exiting Kingstown between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. will be able to use White Chapel road onto McKie Hill public road, exiting at the bridge in the vicinity of Girls High School.
Further, as of Monday persons who are desirous to lay down their child/ward at Girls High School will be permitted to stop their vehicles on the left hand side of the road at Girls High school, set down their child/ward, then proceed up McKies Hill public road then onto White Chapel road into Kingstown.
Additionally, parking immediately in front of the Kingstown Preparatory School will be prohibited; keep clear and no parking signs have been painted along the surface of the road in the area.
However, motorists will be allowed to stop and let off students attending the Kingstown Preparatory School.
Parents and guardians wishing to drop off their child/ward attending the C.W. Prescott Primary School can do so by stopping in the vicinity of Curriculum Unit or on the opposite side at Frenches Gate.
It must be noted that parking on the right or northern side in the yard of the C.W. Prescott Primary School is strictly prohibited.
John further announced that traffic officers will be vigilant and strategically positioned on the roads to ensure that the traffic regulations are adhered to and enforced.
“The Traffic Department is therefore soliciting the cooperation of parents and guardians, motorists, commuters and pedestrians in relation to these traffic guidelines. Superintendent John expressed thanks to members of the general public for their continual strong support,” police said in a press statement.
The entire traffic situation in Kingstown is a total mess anyway. It seems that as time has gone by for the past 3 or more decades, city planning has been non-existant. Some of the reason is because we are a developing nation and the priority to allocate funds for traffic alleviation is low, but part of it is also because we are not committed to efficiency. Difficult choices and sacrifices will have to be made and large funds will need to be allocated if we ever decide to be committed to efficiency and build a bypass road as well as possibly thinking of a “park and ride” or anything similar for Kingstown that will have the potential for making Kingstown a more enjoyable place for residents, visitors and tourists.
If the British Government really are going to “build us a new port” I hope they considered how Kingstown “could be” 20 years from now and beyond, instead of just seeing how it is now.. Even though the present economic philosophy in SVG DISCOURAGES significant investment it thereby encourages mass migration to other countries that foster an environment of opportunity, and in spite of the high birth rate of Vincentians the population does not grow and traffic in Kingstown has not improved. Nevertheless, bigger changes do need to be made just in case we ever do get our act together and greater investment does occur.
In case any reader says I am not making any suggestions how our economics can improve, I have mentioned how in other posts. In a “nutshell” junk the very stupid and unfair “concessions” system and craft lower import taxes that apply to all EQUALLY. That creates a hope, fairness FAR-LESS BUREAUCRACY and causes encouragement from the small to the big investors. You can then calculate what an enterprise will cost and chart your course from the beginning to the light at the end of the tunnel. Government can also help to make SVG competitive with other jurisdictions instead of what we have now… a guarantee that we cannot compete and will always lose. Corporate Income tax should be around 15% not 30%. I can continue but the reader will get the point. WE NEED TO JUNK THE SOCIALIST LOSER DEMAND-SIDE ECONOMICS AND ADOPT A MORE SUPPLY-SIDE PHILOSOPHY IF WE EVER WANT TO GO ANYWHERE ECONOMICALLY.