BY HORACE HINES Observer West reporter
SAVANNA-LA-MAR,Westmoreland -
In a radical bid to end Westmoreland’s traffic congestion woes, Savanna-La-Mar’s Mayor, Bertel Moore, is examining the possibility of converting Great George Street -the town’s commercial hub into a one-way.
"Honestly I would love to see Great George Street become a one-way street in the future, but we will have to do some serious studies into that before a decision can be made,” said Moore.
More immediately, Moore is seeking a $3-million allocation from the central government’s Equalisation Fund to rehabilitate Hudson Street as an alternative, interim measure to ease the intolerable congestion.
"I am quite sure I will get the funds from the Ministry (Local Government)," said a confident Moore.
The newly sworn-in Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar said as the work is completed, road signs will be installed to encourage motorists to traverse that thoroughfare, instead of Great George Street.
"As soon as we complete repairs along Hudson Street we will immediately put in signs to direct motorists to use the easier way to down town because Hudson Street takes you to the bottom of Great George Street," he explained.
"Motorists coming from Petersfield, Dunbars River and so on could travel along Hudson Street to downtown Sav-la-Mar which will significantly lessen the chaotic confusion which exists throughout the days along George Street," added Moore, who is also councilor for the Negril Division.
But president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Stewart, while welcoming the move to upgrade Hudson Street, expressed doubts that this would wholeheartedly ease congestion along Great George Street, especially if the cabbies continue to be indisciplined.
"Hudson Street needs to be upgraded to assist Great George Street but police must also be placed along Great George Street to ensure that taxi operators observe the road code. A lot of taxis drive slowly along the road seeking passengers and at times they just stop without pulling off the road to let off or pick up passengers without regard for other motorists,” said a clearly upset Stewart.
Councilor Moore, who chairs the Westmoreland Parish Council, which is completed by 14
