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Has Gov’t caved after protest over bollards @ HM Prison Museum?

- Bollards have been removed; unclear if the move is permanent or temporary
The bollards (inset) placed in front of the Old HM Prison Museum on Main Street have been removed after much pressure from the public. Photo: VINO/File
The holes where the bollards were removed still remain. Photo: VINO
The holes where the bollards were removed still remain. Photo: VINO
Both Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), left, and businessman and public activist Mr Alred C. Frett opposed the erecting of bollards in front the Old HM Prison Museum on the already congested Main Street. Photo: VINO/File
Both Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), left, and businessman and public activist Mr Alred C. Frett opposed the erecting of bollards in front the Old HM Prison Museum on the already congested Main Street. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After loud protests led by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), political activist and businessman Alred C. Frett, civil society and residents of Road Town, the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration has apparently removed the unsightly bollards from Main Street, in Road Town, the capital City.

The bollards were installed at the newly renovated HM Prison Museum on Main Street, however, it remains unclear who was responsible for the idea to take away so much parking space from an already congested space close to two major churches and businesses.

Remove them now or else you will hear me- Hon Fraser

Opposition Leader Hon Fraser, while speaking in the House of Assembly (HoA) on December 19, 2016, warned the regime of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) that the installation was “ridiculous” and he planned to make noise until they are removed.

The fiery former Minister for Communications and Works told the HoA: "I saw something that bothered me…I went by the church some weeks ago and I looked and I saw some bollards along Main Street in front of the old prison, which I think is ridiculous."

He added that under the law “only the Minister for Communications and Works has the authority to block a road by issuing an instrument”.

Permanent or temporary removal?

However, our newsroom observed today December 24, 2016, that the ugly looking barriers blocking off much needed parking on Main Street have been removed, but the holes are not sealed.

We are unsure if they are only removed on a temporary basis and will be placed back from December 27, 2016, the start of the business week.

It is unclear who made the decision to remove the bollards, but it would have come after much pressure from the public, Hon Fraser, Mr Frett and others.

The Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool represents the 4th district, which includes Road Town.

Efforts to reach the City Manager were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

23 Responses to “Has Gov’t caved after protest over bollards @ HM Prison Museum?”

  • dd (24/12/2016, 21:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino you dont sleep
  • up town (24/12/2016, 21:44) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Got to be the city manager who put them there..she thinks she owns road town..just like they get her out of TB she will not last there
    • ))) (27/12/2016, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      sounds like something the minister of communication and works would do. Doing something without asking.
      Main street should become a pedestrian way anyway... we are losing history one cut at a time.
  • wize up (24/12/2016, 22:11) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    some of you will cuss; but the former minister went up to beef islands and put a set of muck on public road while in office(it must be nice to be in the opposition)
    • @ Wise Up (25/12/2016, 16:42) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yea and don't forget the lights around the round about in Road Town...how soon we forget
      • hog city (25/12/2016, 18:13) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        Hope that you remember that the same man brought you choices of cellphones and cheaper water 24/7
        • @ hog city (26/12/2016, 23:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          You must have a secret pipe. I never have water after about 11:00am near the race track
    • hog city (25/12/2016, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Since that traffic calmer was removed, that area had several accidents with one fatality
  • Crap (24/12/2016, 23:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people are so backwards thinking. When there was reason to block it off when the prison was there, it was never done. The street has 2 major churches and that's several parking spaces that were compromised. No objection to blocking the entrance of the museum because there are enough fools who would park right in the door if you give them a chance.
    Good move Fraser.
    • just imagine (26/12/2016, 06:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Blocking the entrance may not be enough in this case. Taking one or two prisoners into jail may not have warranted bollards, but perhaps taking a large groups of tourists or school children could expose them to heightened security risks at peak hours of the day. Let church members of the congregations walk. Its good exercise. A few steps will not kill you, in fact it will help you. As you alluded to, why is it that people in the BVI feel they need to park on a church step to go inside a church, or any other building for that matter. This just seems to be the general perception in our country overall. Our forefather walked miles to get to church back then and we don't want to park and walk two/three minutes. Walk a few steps people. You actually should do:

      at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and
      strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
  • OK Then (25/12/2016, 00:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser used his weight
  • sheer assishness (25/12/2016, 00:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    why not use cones or painted lines?
    • 000 (27/12/2016, 12:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      put planters outside the prison doors so no one blocks them. I agree use cones on church service days. but rest of time
      keep original.
  • tola (25/12/2016, 00:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ uptown I agree with you
  • musa (25/12/2016, 05:07) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    who place them on d road must pay for them if not jail them
  • Charley Rose (25/12/2016, 05:16) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    The removal ofthe sign on Main Street is a testimony of the strength of the people. If the PEOPLE'S POWER is invoke, anything the government does that is not pleasing to the people can be challenged. This is just the start and the people must rise to the occasion in 2017. We will tell the politicians that our eyes are open. No more fooling around. This is a warning to the NDP politicians who think that they are the smartest in the country.
  • Jacperlance (25/12/2016, 05:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Total waste of tax payers money again. Who is really responsible
  • Citizen (25/12/2016, 06:11) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    In my humble opinion, I think the bollards were necessary as a safety precaution for persons visiting the Prison Museum. Perhaps they did not need to be so far into the road, but we must admit that there needs to be some form of barricade there. My thing is that even in the protest mode, we should offer solutions or at the very least strategically think things through.
    • solution (25/12/2016, 08:36) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Put callwood to stand there all day and give out tickets
      • No point (25/12/2016, 08:52) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        Callwood does not do anything about bad parking. He only knows about the tinting, seatbelt and cell phone laws. If only he would learn about ticketing people for unreasonable parking, then the problem would start to go away.
    • 000 (27/12/2016, 12:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      there may be a compromise. why did there have to be so many in the middle of the street?
      2 on either side of the doors would work.
  • one eye (25/12/2016, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will be back up not to worry


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