Gov’t addressing RT infrastructure for cruise visitors – Dr. Titley-O’Neal
This was revealed by Executive Director of Environmental Systems Dr Cassander Titly-O’Neal on August 20, 2013 as part of the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Cruise Pier Development Project.
In response to a question posed, Dr Titley-O’Neal said, “In terms of the issues that you are talking about, when it comes to traffic congestion, not having enough adequate access for pedestrians within Road Harbour… those issues were raised in the Environmental Impact Assessment. Government is in the process of evaluating how we can address these needs by building infrastructure to accommodate this.”
While noting that the cruise pier is already in place, she added, “they have to do something in order to accommodate the passengers.”
The Executive Director reasoned that if the passengers couldn’t be accommodated they would simply go somewhere else which would leave the Territory in a sort of ‘catch-22’ situation.
“The pier is already here. Building it somewhere else right now would carry up the cost. It is going to take longer. You need to have that pier completed within a specific time so that you can meet the ships so that they use you for their next port of call for the next cruise season,” she continued.
It was also revealed that recommendations had also come in the EIA for the inclusion of other destinations for tourists such as Cane Garden Bay and also for the building of restrooms and other facilities to accommodate cruise passengers.
“BVI Ports Authority, they have been working on a plan [regarding] what other markets could possibly be opened to carry cruise ship passengers… so they are aware of it, in terms of carrying it to other places,” she said.
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