Mayor’s peeve over traffic plan cause for concern

THE EDITOR: The National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) Executives of the San Fernando constituencies view with some concern the recently reported rift between the Mayor, Mr Ian Atherly and the San Fernando Business Association (SFBA) President, Ms Daphne Bartlett over the now dismantled traffic plan for upper High Street.

In view of the fact that the plan was also opposed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South, we wonder why the Mayor is so incensed at Ms Bartlett for threatening to use the normal means of redress any citizen has when he or she perceives that a State Authority is wrong. While we are sure that Mr Atherly, a former activist of our party in its early years, is well meaning about his plan, good intentions are not the only consideration for its acceptance, we also feel that his style is too confrontational and we expect our leaders to use dialogue and consideration for other viewpoints in formulating plans and policy which benefit the street vendors.

As to the plan itself, we have received complaints about the long lines of traffic along Harris Promenade, Penitence Street and St James Street and the long extra distance some motorists experience when coming from the North to get to the business centre and we wonder whether there was a holistic approach to formulating the plan. We note also that the taxi drivers have come out in support of the plan, but this is no surprise as they also have access to upper High Street under the plan.

HOLLIS J EVERSLEY
Secretary, San Fernando West Constituency, NAR