This year may have been the last Christmas on De Castro Street!
City Manager Janice E. L. Brathwaite-Edwards announced on Sunday December 8, 2019 that the event is likely to be moved from its current location now that Government is proposing making DeCastro Street open only to one-way traffic.
"We are working under the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities and the Minister [Hon Kye M. Rymer] has proposed a different route for the traffic. Once that routing is in place we would not be able to have Christmas on DeCastro Street."
Brathwaite-Edwards was at the time speaking with JTV and was asked about the constant complaints the closing off of the road causes annually. "Yes we have talked about it, we have a number of venues in mind. We have to see what's going on, see the logistics and function in the community that we have created for Christmas on DeCastro Street."
Some of the options in mind include Administration Drive and the Queen Elizabeth II Park.
Several persons expressed concerned about the inconveniences caused when the road is closed off. "What they need to realise is that the number of vehicles on the road has greatly increased after 2017,” a vendor of Christmas on DeCastro Street remarked.
Section of Waterfront Drive & DeCastro St to be made ‘one-way’
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) had told the House of Assembly (HoA) on September 2, 2019 that the stretch of road from the traffic lights to the roundabout on Waterfront Drive in Road Town would be made into a one-way to accommodate traffic heading East while DeCastro Street would be converted to a one-way to accommodate traffic heading West.
He also said the public would be sensitised and consulted on the planned changes to ease congestion in Road Town via billboards and public meetings.
“Mr Speaker, when you are coming from the West End area and you are heading East, at the Admin Complex we would erect the [traffic] lights and we are intending to turn that Waterfront Drive into a one way heading East. Upon approaching the roundabout traffic would be able to turn left or go straight on to the dual carriageway.
“Mr Speaker, when you are leaving the dual carriageway and heading West, traffic would then be heading to Bobby’s [Supermarket] down on DeCastro Street. That would be a one way heading in that direction or you can continue around the roundabout or go over to where the Lime [Flow] building is at.”
According to Hon Rymer, there would a traffic loop within the city as the traffic would be heading West into DeCastro Street and motorists can “make a right into the street with Cutlass Tower” to gain access to Waterfront Drive, “If you don’t want to go around by Banco [Popular] or in that area.”
The Minister had further said the intention is to turn the traffic in the opposite direction by Noel Lloyd Park “so that road would be heading West instead of East and then you would make your right on the Admin Drive.”
10 Responses to “This year may have been the last Christmas on De Castro Street!”
I will ram their vehicle .
. so some special person please try it !!!