Move those cars off the beach

THE EDITOR: As a regular weekend visitor to Maracas Bay, I am appalled at the indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the beachfront over the past three months. From what I understand, the barriers were removed and vehicles were allowed to park on the beach, due to complaints from the Bake and Shark vendors on the beachfront that their sales were limited since visitors who park in the car park buy from the vendors there. I think we are seeing the result of an old adage “Give a Trini an inch and he takes a mile.” The parking on the beachfront has now become so bad that there is little room for people who like to lie around or in their beach chairs, because cars are now trying to get as close to the beachfront as possible, blasting music.

What in my opinion should be done in the interest of the safety and relaxation of all concerned is that if this parking on the beach is to continue that it be controlled. There is a lot of room on the south side where parking should be permitted and leave the area nearer the beachfront for people to relax. My other concern is with regard to the car park. The car park is a source of revenue for TIDCO, why is it in such a deplorable condition? Is this the real reason why parking was permitted on the beach? There are also police signs on the road saying “No Parking” but these are just signs. Nobody worries with them, there are no police officers present to see that law and order are maintained, so there is parking on both sides of the road and the car park is empty making movement of vehicles a problem on crowded days as is now being experienced. I would like TIDCO to fix the car park and the police to ensure that everybody uses the car park, even those who are now parking on the beach, as was previously the case. The plight of the beachfront vendors could be alleviated if they improve on their presentation and quality of their Bake and Shark.

AL TREE
Valsayn Park