Access denied!
Published:Wednesday | May 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
- Business owners lament blockade of Falmouth square
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
STAKEHOLDERS IN Falmouth have described their mayor, Collin Gager, and Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) representatives, as arrogant and abusive in their handling of the installation of steel barricades in their historical Water Square.
The residents are blaming insufficient consultations between stakeholders and the authorities as the problem that threatens to derail smooth redevelopment of the 18th-century commercial capital.
The blockade prevents access to the square by any of the emergency services, including the fire department and ambulance. The police would also need to walk to respond to any eventualities.
Without notice, the residents said they woke up two weeks ago to find permanent steel barricades preventing the movement of traffic in the square. Some 10 businesses in the Albert George Market have been affected, and are currently not allowed either a delivery or pick-up area.
On a visit to the town last Thursday, The Gleaner noticed that efforts were being made to beautify the square, which is now home to the multibillion-dollar cruise ship pier. The beautification project was surrounded by the freshly installed metal barriers.
"They (the powers that be) do things in the town, without letting the stakeholders know, yet they say they are doing it for us," lamented businessman Baxter Sinclair.
not opposed to pedestrianisation
According to him, the business community welcomes the new pier and is not opposed to having the square pedestrianised, but is concerned that there is no access for emergency vehicles.
Joycelyn Knight, who operates a small eatery in Albert George Market, has stoutly criticised the way the changes were implemented. "Wherever in the world you go and essential services such as ambulance and fire have barriers to access emergencies?" she asked.
Along with Sinclair, Knight is recommending the use of marshals to control the restricted areas. "It happens all over the world wherein marshals are used to maintain order," Knight argues.
Commenting on the issue, Gager said contractor, Pihl, diverted from what they were supposed to do. "A letter has since been sent to the PAJ and the contractor asking for the removal of the barriers in some sections, and the replacement with a chain-link with a combination lock," he explained.
According to the mayor, the parish council and emergency services would have the password to the combination.
In the case of businesses not having access to offloading their goods, he said a schedule has to be provided for deliveries to be made. "It cannot to be ad hoc. This will be managed by the council and the municipal police."