Traffic problems causing stress in Falmouth

Western Bureau:

Pedestrians using Duke, George and Cornwall streets in Falmouth, Trelawny, have been left without sidewalks in these areas as the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has reportedly designated the sides of the roads for the parking of taxis and mini buses. That has resulted in pedestrians now walking in the road.

Efforts to get a comment from the TMC proved futile as officials are refused to discuss the matter with The Gleaner. However, the situation is a major source of discomfort to residents.

TRANSPORT CENTRE

When the concern first surfaced, the municipality promised to put the transport centre, located on the nearby Tharpe Street, to use. However, when The Gleaner visited that location earlier this week, no evidence of work was seen.

“The answer to that question is above my pay grade,” a source close to the TMC told The Gleaner. “At present, a lot of development is taking place in Falmouth, and I don’t see the town settling down until the vast majority of the various projects are completed.”

Dave Vassell, one of the 40 transport operators who ply the Falmouth to Montego Bay route, told The Gleaner that any attempt to push them to use the transport centre on Tharpe Street would be contrary to their road licences.

“Our licences say we must travel from Courts here in Falmouth to the transport centre in Montego Bay. If we start out from Tharpe Street, it is a recipe for Transport Authority officers to take action against us for operating contrary to our licences,” said Vassell.

The haphazard nature of the parking arrangement is also leading to other problems. With no public sanitary conveniences along George Street, drivers and their passengers have been urinating on the grounds of the William Knibb Baptist Church.

The Reverend Devere Nugent, the church’s pastor, is not happy with the chaotic arrangement and is suggesting that a roadway in proximity to Tharpe Street be opened up and used.

“Somebody benefits from the chaos because where the buses now park is within a ‘no-parking” area, so the police can now write more tickets,” said Nugent, who is also a justice of the peace.

“A simple solution is to open the street running parallel to the Bakery all the way to Tharpe Street and have buses line up there. It is a simple matter, but this would go against the grain of the municipality as it makes sense and gives the appearance that some thinking went into their actions,” added Nugent.