The ICC/CWC Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Police Traffic Department are to meet Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in the vicinity of the stadium to hammer out the permit programme which would give access to vehicles moving in and out of nearby communities.
Meanwhile, the security directorate of the ICC CWC 2007 has approved in principle the `park and walk’ proposal as part of the transportation arrangements for the six CWC 2007 Super Eight matches to be held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Work has also begun on the levelling of the eleven-acre plot of land between the stadium and Buddy’s International Hotel. The area is expected to comfortably accommodate 2,500 vehicles.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony told the media on Friday that the area identified for parking would modify the previous plan for a ‘park and ride’ which entailed a shuttle to the stadium.
For those for who do not drive or those who would need transportation the idea of a shuttle from the National Cultural Centre tarmac on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown and the Joe Vieira Park on the West Bank Demerara was still being worked on.
Chief Executive Officer of the LOC Karan Singh told the media that approval in principle had been given but the LOC was required to submit the boundaries of the parking area to ensure that it does not encroach on the red zone area (for security reasons) around the stadium.
Asked whether the area would be used permanently for parking Singh said he does not know whether it would be a CWC legacy but added that any further development of the temporary parking area for the CWC 2007 matches would be left to the government.
Explaining the purpose of the community permit programme, Singh said that while it was not a stipulation under the sunset legislation, it was meant to help ease traffic congestion in the residential areas and for security reasons.
He said the LOC would be setting up a ‘park and walk’ facility and the LOC would not want others to block the entrances to people’s homes in the residential area or along the East Bank Demerara in the vicinity of the stadium. Under the sunset legislation blocking of entrances and parking on the verges of the road would be illegal and would be subject to penalties which would include a fine or a prison term.
Singh said that permits would be issued to residents, who are owners of vehicles and who would display these permits to the police or traffic stewards to let them know that they have a legitimate right to go into those areas. “If you don’t have that permit you would not be allowed to go into those areas. You would not be allowed entrance into places like Republic Park, Nandy Park and areas in the immediate vicinity,” he emphasized.
Owners of properties, who might have additional parking space in their yards in those areas and who might want to allow their relatives or friends or colleagues to park there, would also have to get permits for those persons to gain entry to the area.
“One must remember that there would be no parking allowed [on the verges of the roadway] from the city to the stadium on match days.
A lot of people would be affected. If you have reasons to go into these areas, you’d make sure you have those permits,” he said.
He added that, “It is a permit of convenience and security to protect the residents and the free flow of traffic.”
The NDCs are expected to begin meeting residents to seek their cooperation and to discuss the design and the issuance of the permits.
