Some business people unhappy with new Sando traffic plan

Prior to last week Tuesday, Library Corner, San Fernando was a knot of bustling cars, street vendors and people entering and leaving the heart of the city via taxis.

The city council, on a temporary experimental basis, changed the flow of traffic on some problematic streets and relocated some taxi stands in an attempt to direct traffic congestion away from the city centre. Whether the lack of congestion at Library Corner is as a result of the changes or the closure of school is yet to be tested, but some business owners are unhappy.

“We have owned this jewelry store for about 16 years and we have never experienced such a dramatic drop in customers,” said the wife of the owner of one jewelry store on Mucurapo Street who asked to remain anonymous.

The jeweller said the traffic changes have directed the walking public away from Mucurapo Street, where they used to drop off, and towards High Street instead.

“So High Street businesses are benefiting, but we are suffering.

I have not seen a customer in the last four hours.” Shalana Hamilton, who has been helping her boyfriend sell snacks, incense and cigarettes from a small cart on the street side said she too noticed a drop in the flow of pedestrian customers.

“It should just go back to how it used to be.” But Marabella taxi drivers are in full support of the change as they are to be relocated to outside Royal Castle at Pointe-a-Pierre Road from today, giving them an easier exit from the city. Princes Town taxi driver Kent Trotman said “The changes make sense for now and everything has been moving smooth since. There isn’t any traffic on the corner, but school is closed. We would see if that remains when school starts.” Attempts to reach San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.