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Cruise liners influencing Brandywine Bay proj. – Hon. Pickering

- Says cruise ship industry faces death if Pier Dev. Project fails to happen
The Brandywine Bay beach has been identified as best suited for a development project that can provide tourist attracting scenery and activities. Photo: VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resource and Labour Dr the Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering said government has negotiated for cruiser liners to invest monies into the developmental project for the Brandywine Bay beach. Photo: VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resource and Labour Dr the Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering said government has negotiated for cruiser liners to invest monies into the developmental project for the Brandywine Bay beach. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the public meeting at Brandywine Bay beach on Thursday September 12, 2013 to discuss the redirecting of the main road to accommodate the development of the beach area . Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the public meeting at Brandywine Bay beach on Thursday September 12, 2013 to discuss the redirecting of the main road to accommodate the development of the beach area . Photo: VINO
BRANDYWINE BAY, Tortola, VI – The National Democratic Party (NDP) government of the Virgin Islands has admitted to negotiating with cruise liners to have them contribute financially and intellectually towards the pending development of the Brandywine Bay beach area.

It was also revealed that there are already a few design concepts currently being developed.

This was told to residents and other concerned persons at a public meeting held at the Brandywine Bay beach front on Thursday September 12, 2013 by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering who also insisted that the proposals are not yet concrete.

“One of the proposals on the table, because of the increase of passengers they are going to be bringing to the BVI, they have looked at how they can find things for their passengers to do, tours that can benefit there passengers...”

Dr Pickering and his team had facilitated the meeting to present three draft proposals for the potential relocating of the beach front road at Brandywine Bay when he revealed the influences behind the pending project to remove the road.

According to Dr Pickering, at least two cruise liners; Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line are likely to plug monies into the project once it goes through because of the fact that the existing beaches at Cane Garden Bay cannot take off the number of tourists at any one time especially if there are to have two or three cruise ships in.

“Any of you who would have been to Cane Garden Bay on a day when you have two or three cruise ships in know that, that not sustainable. We can’t have just one beach where we can take passengers,” said Dr Pickering.

He said the suggested development of the Brandywine Bay beach was influenced by the proposed extension of the cruise ship pier that has been on the table for the past two to three years. “Between ourselves and other planners have looked at which other beaches on Tortola can be used for development and can enhance our tourism product, that can enhance overall economic development and this is one of the prime beaches that have been noted.”

Residents were also told in no uncertain terms that the Cruise Pier Development Project is an isolated one if not done urgently will see the death of the cruise ship industry in the Virgin Islands.

“The cruise ship pier is an entity by itself that will happen for the cruise ships…it is something they have been pressing hard on because the big ships cannot come into the dock. The cruise ships cannot stand alongside each other and all the cruise lines want to bring bigger ships,” he noted.

23 Responses to “Cruise liners influencing Brandywine Bay proj. – Hon. Pickering”

  • > (14/09/2013, 09:27) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Longbay/beef island beach is better for this.
  • . (14/09/2013, 09:29) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    We're being sold-out as i speak.
  • ... (14/09/2013, 10:10) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    see the truth behing deeds project are coming out!!!
  • BuzzBvi (14/09/2013, 10:12) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why he aint pushing to develop the beaches of some of the cays where his rich white friends own and we are not allowed to visit?
  • pelican (14/09/2013, 10:32) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    seems everything this minister explains is based on fear- fear of economy, fear of the "death" of cruise ships, fear that huge ships carrying 4000 passengers won't be able to arrive (even though we have had success with smaller ships for years- and could pursue them more rigorously) etc. The trade-off?. Developers will design (and contain) the beach if BVI pours millions into moving the road (solely for their benefit). To say that the cruise ship pier is an entity unto itself as an isolated project is not quite true. Look how TTPG wants to ooze out to affect local (and for the most part) natural beaches. Why do they insist on wanting to "improve" on Mother Nature, and why is the NDP so fearful of not following their veiled threats?
  • question (14/09/2013, 11:32) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    who is that man in dark shades at night..did he get his dressing skills from MVW?
    • Marie (14/09/2013, 12:03) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      How silly you sound. The meeting is address an important subject to benefit our area and you comment on how someone is dressed? Weak mind!
      • foot and mouth (15/09/2013, 01:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        free speech boss
        • .... (15/09/2013, 13:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          But the meeting was held in the day!?!?!? Confused. I thought shades were for the sun and whenever the person who bought them deemed in necessary, regardless. Simple thoughts of simple people.
  • Music (14/09/2013, 12:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Developing a beach where it is impossible to swim is crazy!
    • nanny cay (14/09/2013, 14:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      well its clear that there are other motives
    • Inez (17/09/2013, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. The seaweed is so close to shore I cannot do anything except walk the beach. How will they clear this up?
  • Sold out (14/09/2013, 13:14) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    This NDP government done sell us out but some of us love them so that we are willing to close our eyes & ears & take death from them & keep them in power. Even when the Opposition mentions what they are doing wrong we fall for the NDP spin that the Opposition members looking power rather than us listening to the issues. Poor BVI. Rich get what they want & once we keep the NDP we will get what we don't deserve.
  • we need it (14/09/2013, 15:50) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    this devoplment project is a good one Dr. Pickering, please do not let these backwards people get in the way of progress
    • . (14/09/2013, 21:44) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      These same so called backwards people voted for his party last election.
    • dog (14/09/2013, 22:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      progress should work for everyone not the chosen few. It shouldn't have to cost millions to change a road that would only benefit those invested in the beach. It shouldn't have to be ugly or big or tall, benefit the developers, and leave the people catering to thousands of low end visitors a day. It shouldn't have to mean picking up some one else's trash, patiently wait for created traffic, and cause stress between populations. Progress is based on compromise and consideration so everyone has a shot to move forward. Progress is not magic.
  • . (14/09/2013, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Continue calling them/us names, elections soon coming again.
  • Pathetic (14/09/2013, 21:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kowtowing to the cruise lines who bring little in the way of $$$ spending passengers.Can hardly wait for their "vision". Wonder how the idea of the local natives running around in grass skirts and a bone in their nose hustling cokes and beach chairs will go over. Oh wait, they already got that at Cane Garden.
  • shaw (15/09/2013, 09:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has anyone done the math? how many heads will it take in taxes to equal the millions in moving the road (and its unintended consequences- moving electrical, water etc.)
    How much would it cost to reconfigure the road repairs, how about a potential traffic light or the accidents occurring as those come down the hill.

    How much are the cruise ship people contributing and how much do THEY gain out of it? They already get a piece of the passenger. The trade off is not logical or realistic. NDP sees "free" financial contribution and not the consequences. It is foolishness at wanting to be more metropolitan. The gates will be open to beach-side development when it is not being used as much as originally thought. Then we lose another vista.
  • oooooo (15/09/2013, 13:31) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    I am of the belief that the BVI is sooooo far behind the modern world infastructurally. If our second pillar is Tourism, we must enhance our tourist product. Common Sense. Brandy Wine Bay's location, view and distance from town is perfect for this endeavor.

    This is the only country I see where politicians are scared to proceed with Eminent Domain Rights when encountered with unreasonable land owners. Major roads today are still one lanes, used by both directional traffic because both Governments are scared to to take a 11' width of land which would benefit the masses.
    It happens over and over and we are falling deeper and deeper into 'no progress'. No progress = slow economy = failed economy SIMPLE MATHS.

    We have a few Government Officials that can see 10,20,30 and more years ahead with the good of the country at heart. EVERY DEVELOPMENT has pushback, Please don't listen to these bloggers go forward and do what you know will benefit our islands in the long run. The quite, progressive, voting masses are the ones that will vote you back in. BUT YOU MUST PUT WORKS ON THE GROUND.
    • not the real thing (15/09/2013, 18:16) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      fake bloging using people's screen names will not help your cause NDP your fiction has overwhelm your reality.

      I see you always stealing VINO blogs and now the screen names...the writing is on the wall NDP must GO
      • oooooosotrue (16/09/2013, 07:41) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
        oa oooooaoooooooo you are so true.remember they didnt want the admin building anairport the college an the scrubisland development. god almighty why we people so. iso sick of our donkey cart mentality. fact is tola dont have anything better to offer bet if they start looking to v.g.or anegada where the beaches are much prettier and offers more in terms of marine life and more potential to develop marine activity............bet you all will be saying somrthing else. doc forget brandy wine.shuttle yo the sister islands by land an sea.


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