Representatives of SHTA, Ministry of VROMI/ Department of new Projects Development and Planning, Windward Roads, Control Unit, the Traffic Police and Minister Heyliger's cabinet met yesterday to evaluate the decision, taken last week, to open up the Union road to two-way traffic. During the meeting, each stakeholder was given the opportunity to voice its opinion on the flow of traffic of the present scenario vs. the past in which traffic on Union road was one-way and filtered through the intersection at the Daily Extra.
The sentiment of all, with the exception of the traffic police and control unit, was that although traffic has shifted from Simpson Bay to Cole Bay hill, the flow overall is better than in the previous situation. According to most, time spent in traffic in Simpson Bay was hours (even with the assistance of traffic police) compared to traffic on Cole Bay Hill, which on average is between 30 min to an hour max.
The traffic police and control unit's concerns and willingness to revert to the previous system related to the stressful and dangerous situation their officers are exposed to, having to cover two way traffic as well as 3 intersections (Midas roundabout, Cakehouse-Union road junction and Union road- Orange Grove junction) as opposed to just the one at Daily Extra supermarket.
Maurice Lake, Executive Assistant to Minister Heyliger informed that Minister Duncan had recently approved the use of 10 BAFPOL (police trainees) to assist with traffic control; this is in addition to the 7 officers from the Control unit. With this new information, it was then collectively agreed to continue the present scenario with increased presence of officers throughout the day and especially at peak hours to help facilitate a smooth flow of traffic for the next 6 weeks starting this Friday. The situation will be re-evaluated with stakeholders next Wednesday.
The SHTA is asking the community to respect the instructions of the traffic police and to remain calm and patient on the roads. SHTA is also calling for understanding during this time, because these upgrades, although inconvenient now, are being done for the betterment of this island and the quality of our lives.
