Wednesday, August 23, 2006

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands Dr Orlando Smith says a seminar held last week on traffic planning and transportation in Road Town will not be in vain.

The Chief Minister told public and private representatives in attendance that he looks forward to the suggestions and recommendations with a view to implementing those that are workable in both the immediate and distant future.

Chief Planner in the Town and Country Planning Department Louis Potter said a report will be soon submitted for review and adoption by the Chief Minister and his colleagues in Executive Council.

"Transportation specialists Dr Trevor Townsend and Dr Philbert Morris will prepare the workshop report, which will include short and long term suggestions and policy proposals," the chief planner said.

These suggestions and proposals, he noted, will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the Road Town Improvement Project (RTIP) core committee, scheduled for September 3. "The conclusion will be submitted to the Chief Minister for his review and adoption," Potter said.

Speaking at the seminar’s opening the Chief Minister said his Government sees the need for an effective study on traffic and transportation concerns in Road Town. "The daily traffic demand on our capital continues to outgrow the available space," he said, while pledging Government’s support for recommendations to improve the traffic conditions for pedestrians and motorists.

The Chief Minister urged participants to share their experiences with traffic in Road Town, saying he was optimistic that important suggestions will be generated towards the general improvement of the traffic.

The seminar which was conducted by the firm Ivor Jackson and Associates in partnership with the Town and Country Planning Department, had presentations on a number of topics including options in public transportation, multi-story parking, improving traffic flows in Road Town, and initial findings on traffic management.

In addition, the daylong seminar, featured group sessions on topics such as the benefits of a pedestrian oriented community, solutions to parking, traffic management, and commitment to public transportation. Those sessions were followed by presentations where individual group representatives proposed remedies related to their assigned topics.

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