Why arbitrary traffic restrictions?

THE EDITOR: In light of the legal notice issued every year by the Commissioner of Police regarding Carnival traffic restrictions, I wonder if he or the Assistant Commissioner for Traffic could say why they find it necessary to place a barrier across Sackville Street at Wrightson Road well before the 9 am time that is advertised.

This results in tremendous hardship for those of us who, knowing Sackville Street is to be closed from 9 am get to the point as early as 8 am in order to access parking at the car park on Edward Street. At that hour there are no bands anywhere near to Richmond Street so that one can drive across Richmond Street and turn into Edward Street with ease and then access the car park there. The same holds for those who go early to park inside Victoria Square and are faced with police barriers and less than understanding policemen.

One year a policeman refused me entry to Sackville Street at 8.30 am and sent me to Independence Square to seek entry from the police there, telling me in the process that all policemen have a discretion, yet he did not use his to allow access through the easier point. From Wrightson Road, one can see straight across to St Vincent Street and can tell that a driver wanting to get into Edward Street, which is not due to be closed before 9 am as well, can do so easily. One policeman recognised this a few years ago and allowed entry. This year, for yet another Carnival Tuesday, a number of vehicles turned up at Sackville Street and Wrightson Road to find the barriers in place long before the time advertised in the police legal notice. Fortunately, the police assigned there showed this time that they know how to exercise discretion and I thank them for this. They have done better than some of their colleagues in the past.

What bugs me is that Ariapita Avenue is a competition route and pedestrian flow is heavy, yet, vehicles can be seen proceeding along that street and Tragarete Road well after 9 am. Mr Commissioner: If you publish a legal notice for our guidance then we expect that you will have your police personnel honour what is stated in that notice.

CLYDE  ALPHONSO
Diego Martin