Stalls demolished, hire cars displaced

Nov 24, 2009 News

– as road works start at Diamond intersection

Several stalls located at the New Diamond Housing Scheme’s junction have been dismantled as construction to widen the East Bank Demerara public road in that area commences.
Hire cars, which once were allowed to park on the north-eastern section of the junction, were also displaced as heavy machines went into operation to widen the intersection.

Works are underway to widen the intersection at the New Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

According to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, who was present on Saturday during ongoing works, the traffic situation there has been a source of much concern to his Ministry and while there are long term plans to ease the congestion on the East Bank Demerara roadways, a few projects are underway in the meantime.
Workers have already installed traffic light posts and have cleared the edges of the road.
However, the work in the area has not been smooth sailing. There were more than 20 stalls, some of them temporary and mobile. These were removed.
While at least one vendor whose roof was taken off was still defiantly carrying on her business on Saturday, others were not so fortunate. Yesterday, her partially damaged stall was no longer there, but she was conducting her business on several makeshift tables.
Yesterday, Minister Benn also acknowledged that an alternative hire car park is being looked at.
Hire car drivers were seen dropping their fares at different points, even in front of the M&M Snackette. And there were many complaints about no alternative arrangements being made to have the cars elsewhere.
Last week, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development inked a $24.5 M contract for the construction of the Diamond market tarmac.
The project is scheduled to be completed within three months. The 4,600 square meter tarmac will be erected in the Diamond Housing Scheme, between the first and second bridges on the southern side of the scheme.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Seewchan, stated that the construction of the market tarmac was necessary since vending is currently conducted on the public road and is a threat to the free and safe flow of traffic.
(Leonard Gildarie)