NEW MEASURES TO TAKE EFFECT MONDAY, DEC. 18
There has been a lot of pushback against the system of payment and the amount announced for motorists who will not be able to park along Main Street and Top Road under traffic changes for the holidays, to come into effect in Brown’s Town Monday, December 18.
The changes were announced last week by the Mayor of St Ann’s Bay and Chairman of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, Sydney Stewart. No parking will be allowed along Main Street through to Top Road, the main artery through the town, and home to more than 75 percent of the town’s retail businesses.
(Outside the Brown’s Town Market Thursday afternoon)
The move is designed to reduce congestion in the forecast of a massive increase in traffic compared to last year this time.
Vehicles illegally parked will be clamped and released only after payment of $2,500 by owners. Municipal police supported by the JCF will be mobilized for the exercise through January 3, the Mayor said. He repeatedly said this would be strictly enforced on Grand Market Day.
Parking will be available only at Addison Park for $200 for an hour or part thereof and $1,000 a day. The other small parking areas including in front of the market and next to the Transport Centre have been taken over by vendors.
Readers have responded mainly negatively to the plan. On the North Coast Times Facebook page, the majority of comments said the costs were excessive and that it was too much to expect shoppers to walk up the hill with bags, to Addison Park.
One reader asked if a shuttle would be provided.
(Outside the Brown’s Town market Thursday last)
Sherene Grant calls it “wickedness that’s is why the poor will be poorer and the rich the richest where poor people fe get money from the system nuh nice at all look the distance to Addison Park next you hear man a hold up people and rob them.”
Chrys-lexy Isthar Mclaren says “This arrangement is ridiculous. People can’t park all the way at Addison Park and walk Into the town.”
Dy Monique Watson says “Fi a town like that it want revamp. U need parking nearby. Now look how time hard bout $1000 fi a day and $200 a hour…Me must carry load up that hill”
Others also argue that the town needs to be re-structured and requires a bypass road.
Jacqueline Pat Shirley says Something needed to be done but me no sure a dat….parking up Addison Park and walking down no so bad but going back up with bags kinda sticky.
The disorder in Brown’s Town is everywhere. Watch as this truck tries to get to a shop next to the market to unload goods:
St Ann’s Bay is the only town that now has paid parking. It is $100 per hour for permit parking or the SAMC car park.
Some traffic changes also take effect in Ocho Rios on Monday.
