Lay-by at Todd Street, San F’do to ease traffic

San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello has taken additional steps to ease traffic congestion in the city. A lay-by has been created on Todd Street, where there are several schools, resulting in traffic congestion on mornings and evenings.

On Monday, for the start of the school term, Regrello went to the site to get a first-hand view of the lay-by in use. He told Newsday that the lay-by, about 60 feet in length, provides a drop-off point for the schools.

“It worked successfully this morning and we are considering extending it. I was here from about 6.30. This is our first project for the year,” Regrello said.

Schools in the area include San Fernando West Secondary, San Fernando Central Secondary, ASJA Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges and the San Fernando ASJA Primary. The mayor recalled that last year, the corporation implemented new traffic management plans to deal with the traffic gridlock. The corporation also created a lay-by at Harris Promenade for parents and guardians to drop off and pick up schoolchildren.

“In July we made a complete overhaul with the traffic in the inner city. That has worked well. We moved to the outer city now, focusing on the Todd Street/ Park Street area, where there are many schools,” Regrello said. Traffic congestion affects productivity levels, the economy and well-being of the students and teachers, he said.

“So, if we could help there, it would have benefited all and not just one group. “We have also provided additional parking spaces for the teachers, who park on the streets.”