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Political will needed to address parking issues- Diane L. Drayton

- said community leaders might not have the political will to enforce strict regulations on vehicles being parked on the public road
Public Relations Officer of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Diane L. Drayton has questioned whether the community leaders in the territory have the political will to address the issue of vehicles being parked along the roadways in some communities overnight instead of using their private premises. Photo: VINO
Mr Gregory W. Adams, Chief Planner with the Town and Country Planning commented that the ‘EnVIsion 2040’ plan will address the issues of vehicles parking on the roadways as well as adopting the way in which other progressive societies deal with parking issues. Photo: VINO
Mr Gregory W. Adams, Chief Planner with the Town and Country Planning commented that the ‘EnVIsion 2040’ plan will address the issues of vehicles parking on the roadways as well as adopting the way in which other progressive societies deal with parking issues. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Public Relations Officer of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Diane L. Drayton has questioned whether the community leaders in the territory have the political will to address the issue of vehicles being parked along the roadways in some communities overnight instead of using their private premises.

This was expressed during the first session of the ‘EnVIsion 2040’ meeting which was held Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town.

Ms Drayton commented that if the territory is serious about progression, the problem of parked vehicles occupying important sections of the roadway must be addressed.

“We may have come from a place where people build on roads like in Huntums Ghut and in Lower Estate where people would normally park on the public road. Now, they have decided because we are moving in a certain way of development, we are insisting that people now make accommodation on their land for parking, but we seem to be so far from that and we might not have the political will to make that happen.”

She continued, “It has to be a necessary part of development if we are going to progress forward, that people remove their vehicles from the public road and find parking on their property. Otherwise, could you imagine our tourists are now heading over to our famous sites, but then have to maneuver in a one-way road because somebody has decided –two, three cars- to park on the public road? We have to decide for a progressive society where we are going.”

The Public Relations Officer suggested that, instead of the Virgin Islands (VI) searching for a new plan to fix parking problems, they should examine other societies to see how they deal with it and possibly adopt their plans to better assist the Virgin Islands in that area.

Parking space legislation in place- Gregory W. Adams

Responding to Ms Drayton, Mr Gregory W. Adams, Chief Planner with the Town and Country Planning commented that the ‘EnVIsion 2040’ plan will address the issues of vehicles parking on the roadways as well as adopting the way in which other progressive societies deal with parking issues.

“We are looking around and finding out other similarities in other jurisdictions; study what they have done and see what of it is applicable to our situation, so we could learn from them and not really try to reinvent the wheel as it is. We are taking those kinds of strategies into account,” explained the chief planner.

Posing a question to Mr Adams, a resident asked whether his department has laws in place to ensure there is parking space on building plans submitted for approval.

In response, he said, “Yes, legislation is in place to address those kinds of issues.” However, he did not state whether or not those laws are being enforced.

11 Responses to “Political will needed to address parking issues- Diane L. Drayton”

  • E. Leonard (16/07/2017, 11:07) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is a severe parking shortage in Road Town, Tortola and VI capital city. It (Road Town) is the hub for conducting governmental business, general business, commerce, banking, medical, entertainment.......etc. Finding ready parking in Road Town will test the faith and paitience of Jobe. Procrastination exacerbates, not solve the parking shortage. Procrastination sometimes is the solution to some problems but it is not the solution to the parking problem in Road Town. Government must summon the will and courage to address the problem head on. Options are limited. There is a Lack of land to expand parking horizontally so the other option is to go vertical with parking garages. In addition to parking garages, administrative and engineering solutions need to be explored.
  • Breezy (16/07/2017, 11:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the Towers (District1) they park on the dock, in front of the dock and on the narrow street leading to the dock. A building is currently being erected on the side of the street leading to the dock. VIP territory I, 've been told so blink blink. This is soooowrong!!!!
    • Government is our problem. (17/07/2017, 07:04) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      This problem is cause by government. Here is why..1 Government do too Much of their business in town because they feel obligated to rent, That piece of land before qwomar that's government land someone had the wisdom to buy but the wisdom to build a government 3 storage building on it is missing.. Our tax money that use to payment rent for government offices 3 yrs of that money can give us that building cash, we will have our own. The right decision is always hard for the wrong leaders. Once the building is built the first two department you move is labour and immigration, they attract the most customers daily. Then you move the treasury over that dept also attract a lot of customers, then that department where They go to get visa and naturalization forms move over.. With that we not only create parking, we also create space in government building for other department to move in...
  • messenger (16/07/2017, 14:55) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    A vast amount of persons parked daily in the city work for a trust company. Trust company clients do not visit their registered agent's office on a regular basis, if ever at all ( most never do). As most business with Company Registry and The Commission (regulator) is now done electronically there is no real reason why Trust Company offices must operate in now congested Road Town. Why then does government not encourage trust companies to operate in other areas on the island. This is a glorious opportunity for land owners outside of the city where they can construct suitable office spaces with adequate parking and restaurant etc and enjoy receipt of higher rents. If necessary impose a special tax for those companies that desire to remain in the city. The spaces that would now become vacant can be occupied by businesses from the tourism sector ( an extension of the Tortola Pier Park so to speak). I believe the ratio of car owners to office space for tourism based businesses is significantly lower than that of the fiduciary services so the reoccupation of buildings ( with stores/ shops) would not recreate the problem we are trying to resolve. This is a win win resolve. Only po persons who may dislike this proposal are the current property owners in Road Town who have been enjoying the high rental income for decades and may no be willing to share the gravey train with other BV Islanders. If I had property on the outskirts of Road Town guess what I would77) be building on it. Sure bet !!!!
  • I wonder (16/07/2017, 19:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a grayish pick up truck 'parked' in a dangerous area along the Paul P. Wattley Bypass (near to the Methodist Manse) for about three weeks now. Hope we are not waiting for something to happen before its removal is addressed.
  • Still sleeping. My little idea. (17/07/2017, 06:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need a serious study. This huge problem cannot be rushed, first. Look at all the private businesses, see how many of their workers are driving and where do they park daily.. Second. you do the same for government employees... Third you make sure those businesses have parking for all their employees (they must) include government.. Fourthly, The government focus on parking for customers and tourist only..
  • Concerned (17/07/2017, 08:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You go lady. This is a subject that needs MUCH attention and immediate action. Towing & fines might help. Help the economy (towing companies -even if it is your cousin) and the government (fines- even if it is your cousin). Let's do it NOW.
  • Fed Up (17/07/2017, 09:01) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about these speed boats all along the roads obstructing traffic. Deal with them too.
    • dog (17/07/2017, 16:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      and why are commercial dump trucks allowed to park on public land and why are landfill bump-outs allowed to press into the water for truck parking? land fill needs permits and I doubt any of these are legal. This is in SCB and West End. Then again, West End is seeing huge exceptions in its landfill and dumping all related to the minister's family connections. No public meetings or explanation. Government leaders are not above the law either.


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