Linstead congestion problems to be eased soon
Published:Wednesday | May 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
LINSTEAD, St Catherine:
AS THE St Catherine Parish Council moves to ease traffic congestion in the town of Linstead, work on a new transportation centre is expected to begin next month.
According to council chairman Andrew Wheatley, plans for construction of the facility, which is to cost approximately $30 million at the site on King Street, which is presently being used as a terminus, are far advanced.
"The Transport Authority is currently looking through the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), that's the final thing to do ... as it relates to the relationship between the local authority and the transport authority in effect operating that transportation centre," Wheatley explained.
He added that when completed, franchise holders in the wider metropolitan area will also benefit from the new facility.
"The transportation centre will serve not only Linstead, but all the adjoining communities, Ewarton, as far as Guy's Hill, and the border of St Catherine and St Mary. It more or less will be the hub there, where taxi and bus operators will have a modern facility which will have all the basic amenities," noted the chairman.
Additionally, the new centre will house the transport authority team, which will help to man operations of the transportation system in the Linstead and surrounding areas.
At the same time, Wheatley said the general indiscipline in society has posed a challenge to both the council and law-enforcement officers in their drive to maintain order in the town.