End the squatting
The streets of Georgetown must not be allowed to become some parking lot/warehouse/ container terminal for Big Business.
Nowhere is this encroachment of public spaces by commerce more apparent than the ubiquitous low bed trailer used by the many haulage companies servicing the oil and other sectors. When in operation they are often a nuisance on the road, blocking junctions, bullying road users and adding to the already extremely congested traffic in the tight streets of central Georgetown. But it is also what happens after dark when many of these trailers are simply parked anywhere the owners feel like and often for days on end. Prime spots include almost all of Water St and the various cross roads between that and Main St; High St in the vicinity of Drysdale and Princes Sts; the small connector road in the Meadowbank area near National Hardware; and along the road running next to the Massy Complex.
Of most concern was a cluster that had manifested around the junction of Middle and Carmichael Sts over the past couple of weeks. After a few days it seemed apparent that this was not some short-time parking arrangement but the logistics company, headquartered nearby, was using this area as its personal parking lot. After a social media hullabaloo the trailers were quickly removed but not without turning the parapets on either side of Carmichael St into 50 yard muddy disaster zones no longer fit for parking.
The primary concern about these low bed trailers littering the streets is that they pose a very serious hazard to road users. They are parked hard by where cars navigate and are not illuminated in any way so are difficult to see at night; they also take up lanes designated for cyclists who then have to share the road with cars. It is only a matter of time before a minibus runs into one of them and then the blame game will begin.
Some have also pointed out that in remote spots, they offer hiding places for thieves to surprise pedestrians. Finally they are simply unsightly and have no place on the streets of our Garden City. The last point will likely be lost on an administration that has consistently put the needs of big business over preserving the green spaces of Georgetown.
What can be done? Quite a lot in fact. The matter was already raised at this week’s City Hall statutory meeting and the City Engineer alerted to the still damaged parapets. It is expected these will be repaired by the operator.
As it is under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, City Hall has significant powers “to regulate the standing and parking of vehicles on council roads.” It can “restrict the use of any council roads to vehicles of specified types or weights” and if “necessary for the protection of a council road or the users thereof, or for the carrying out of road works, order that the road or any portion thereof be closed to all or specified types of vehicles.”
A 2016 press release from City Hall also cited regulations that state the specified streets and hours for which these vehicle types shall use city roadways. “These heavy-type vehicles are permitted to use city roadways: High Street, extending from Lamaha to Young Street, Main Street extending from Church to Lamaha streets and Brickdam extending from Avenue of the Republic to Vlissingen Road between the hours of 18:00 hours to 06:00 hours (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). Any other route has to be notified by the Town Clerk’s office, Gazetted and published in the newspapers.”
But instead of enforcement, organisations such as the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry need to step up and talk to their members about complying with regulations and in particular this squatting on public spaces. Furthermore the large energy operators who are extremely safetyoriented can simply state that equipment used for the sector cannot be parked on roadways.
Meanwhile Christmas is fast approaching and this year promises to be the worst ever for traffic especially with the cumulative effect of an extra 100,000 vehicles registered in the past five years. The above mentioned banning of low bed trailers from central Georgetown during daylight hours will be a necessity. The logistics companies will simply need to find workarounds. Other suggestions would include alternate side of the street parking on Lombard St through the Avenue of the Republic to the National Library junction. Of course pedestrian-only zones on Regent St would be beyond the imagination of an administration so in love with the motor car.
Cut from the same “commerce vs resident” cloth it is high time the authorities enforce zoning and building regulations that are being blatantly violated by unscrupulous businessmen. There have been numerous complaints about apartment buildings going up in residential neighbourhoods without any provisions for parking and in violation of building codes. These are clear examples of the laissez faire approach of this administration towards urban planning including their own ramming of a highway in the name of “beautification” through a “shantytown” as Minister Edghill described La Penitence the other day.
Yes, Guyana is growing thanks to oil sector revenues and activity. The President has promised “prosperity for all”. Many citizens simply want some order, cleanliness and safety in their lives.