Traffic Management A Top Priority For Government

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has reiterated Government’s intention to fix the traffic situation, which is a source of discontent for thousands of motorists as they criss-cross the island’s road network daily.

Ms. Mottley insisted that the dramatic increase in motor vehicles over the last 50 years, from 40,000 to 180,000 created an “unsustainable situation” and one that required a commitment from Government to “not only address matters of road widening and road traffic in the sense of overpasses and other infrastructure” but also to begin a conversation about necessary matters.

Speaking during a special ceremony on Monday to name the roundabout at St. Patrick’s, Christ Church, in honour of distinguished King’s Counsel, Parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister, Sir Richard Cheltenham, the Prime Minister stressed that increased vehicular traffic placed tremendous strain on Barbadians as they planned their daily routines.

She highlighted the continuous traffic flow at the roundabout, constructed in 2001, as a visible sign of the country’s development.

Ms. Mottley insisted that her Government was committed to national consultations on traffic management, to come up with workable solutions based on the voices of the people.

“I say this conscious that while I’ve come here to pay tribute to Sir Richard, it would be impossible…to do so without reflecting on Government’s serious commitment to want to wrestle this issue of traffic to the ground.

“I have every confidence that the national consultations to which I referred to last week will start and will give Barbadians of all backgrounds the opportunity to speak.  But the one thing I do know is that public transport cannot be a luxury but must be the basic right if this country is to function efficiently,” Ms. Mottley assured.

In paying tribute to Sir Richard’s contribution, the Prime Minister praised him for remaining an integral part of the community, adding that she was pleased with Government’s decision to ensure that the naming of places and institutions was done by public consultation.

“Your relationship has been to build communities and to build institutions…, and long after you have gone from this place, and we have gone from this place, persons will ask, who was Richard Lionel Cheltenham, and that story will forever be told…for a century or two centuries to come,” she stated.   

Meanwhile, Sir Richard said he was humbled by the honour, which recognises his life-long journey that began among neighbours, teachers and friends who helped form his sense of purpose. Sir Richard thanked his family for their love and support over the years. (PR/GIS)