M&CC laments non-consultation on one-way streets declaration

Feb 15, 2012 News

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has placed on record its dissatisfaction with the creation of some one-way streets by the Ministry of Home Affairs without reference to the Municipality.
This was contained in a motion that was passed at the Council’s most recent statutory meeting, which was held on Monday, last.
According to the M&CC, the Municipality was neither involved nor consulted in the creation of the new set of one-way streets in Georgetown.
Beginning February 1, several streets in the city no longer accommodate two-way traffic.
The new arrangement, it is said, will facilitate a freer flow of the increasing traffic in Georgetown and is done in accordance with Section 49 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act with the approval of the Minister of Home Affairs.
However, the Mayor and City Council expressed the view that the approach by the central agency to create one-way streets was improper and inconsistent with the Greater Georgetown Development Plan 2000-2010 and good governance of the City of Georgetown.
The M&CC believes that the action by the agency concerned, demonstrated a serious disregard for the rights and responsibility of the Georgetown Municipality.
Monday’s motion was table by Councillor M. L. John and seconded by Councillor Gwendoline McGowan-French.
The motion stated: “Whereas it is provided by the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 and more particularly Section 272 – A council shall have power, subject to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, the Roads Act and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act to construct, maintain, repair, protect and carry out works for the betterment of Council roads in its Council area and to regulate and control traffic thereon.”
In Section 274 it states- “Without prejudice to the generality for the power to regulate and control traffic on council roads conferred by Section 272, but subject to the provision thereof a Council may –…  Erect and maintain traffic control signals and traffic signs on Council roads; regulate the speed of vehicles on Council roads and designate particular Council roads as one-way roads or one-way streets and require all vehicles thereon to move in one specified direction.”
According to the motion, the creation of some of these one-way streets will pose difficulties for the Municipality in the carrying out of its Statutory Duties.
It was resolved that the position of the M&CC in the creation of some of these one-way streets without reference to the Municipality be conveyed to the Minister of Home Affairs.