Disappointing drive to filthy, ugly Toco beach

THE EDITOR: A visit to this beach after a long drive from my home in Port of Spain soon morphed from the expectancy of a beautiful and serene day on the beach to the realisation that this would be a disappointment.

The drive through the winding roads of the eastern area was pleasant except for the their poor condition. I would like to suggest to the Ministry of Works and the regional corporation that where they have not been able to repair the road signage and barriers be installed to make motorists aware of impending danger.

We may be planning a highway to Toco but until that is a reality the roads need to be maintained for the safety of the travelling public and for the benefit of residents of the eastern communities. The state of the Valencia bypass and Toco main roads are a disgrace. The bypass road has been severely damaged by overloaded quarry vehicles.

The scene on arrival at the precincts of the beach was a real letdown. The beach has become crowded with a series of structures which congest the accessible areas. Some structures are filthy tents that make the area resemble a shanty town.

The beach is littered with the debris of past users bolstered by dead fish and scads of broken glass.

To add to the ignominy of the distasteful condition of the beach, there are constant bombings by flies as you have a meal.

The presence of corbeaux on the beach make beachgoers uncomfortable and concerned about their encroachment.

Relaxation on a beach should not be encumbered by the presence of filth, corbeaux, flies and unsightly buildings and tents. If local tourism to the Toco area is treated in this way, then any foreign tourist would surely be apprehensive about visiting the area. Local tour guides would be remiss to take a foreigner to this beach as a showpiece of our tourism plant. This is a downright shame.

The issues at this beach need the urgent attention of the Ministry of Tourism and the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation. The authorities must take charge of the area and limit the construction of buildings and the placement of unsightly tents. One of these entities must take responsibility for the cleanliness of the beach.

The clean-up can start with the placement of bins along the beach for the disposal of waste by visitors; the implementation of a clean-up crew to maintain the beach; the cooperation of the fishermen for the proper disposal of bait and fish which are discarded.

Finally, let us all as Trinidadians and as visitors to our beaches keep them clean by bagging our trash and taking it with us when we leave if are no proper receptacles available.

ALBAN C SCOTT
, Woodbrook