Knox St closure due to Red House repairs, security

The permanent closure of a section of Knox Street, Port of Spain to vehicular traffic is to facilitate restoration works at the Red House and for security for parliamentarians, reported Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) chairman Noel Garcia. On Friday, in a public notice, the Works and Transport Ministry announced the stretch of Knox Street between St Vincent and Abercromby Streets would be permanently closed.

Garcia, speaking yesterday in a telephone interview, said this was necessary for restoration works but also because at the end of the works, Knox Street will be part of the design for the expanded seat of Parliament.

He said both for movement of staff and MPs and for security purposes it was agreed Knox Street would be incorporated into the design. On the works at the Red House, Garcia said they are within budget and within time and Udecott anticipated they would be completed by November 2018.

He reported the work so far has comprised 15 packages and ten have been awarded, including repairs to the roof, rendering and electrical work, plumbing, doors and windows, and general construction.

During the celebration of the First Peoples holiday in October, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced to the First Peoples that a monument would be established at the Red House in tribute to their ancestors whose remains were discovered at the site of the historic building three years ago.

Garcia said yesterday Udecott will ensure this plan is carried through.