Wrecker back in San Fernando from Monday

BRACE for the return of the wrecker in San Fernando from next Monday.

As he made the announcement during Wednesday's statutory meeting, San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello said he was doing so reluctantly because he knew the difficult times people were facing.

But he said people have only themselves to blame as they were taking advantage of the relaxation of the parking restrictions and creating congestion and inconvenience to others.

As part of the covid19 shut down, wrecking in the city was suspended as businesses were closed.

As they reopen, Regrello said the San Fernando City Corporation agreed to reintroduce one wrecker.

“Normally we would work with two or three wreckers, but we considered using one wrecker because people are parking their cars all over, particularly around Library Corner which is a main junction. We were forced, pressed by business places to bring back the wrecker from Monday.

"I don’t want to say we are indisciplined as a people, but sometimes we cause problems for ourselves.”

He said offl;oading goods vehicles were occupying the road and reducing Pointe-a-Pierre Road to one lane.Others were parking on High Street "and going shopping or going to Port of Spain, taking the water taxi. That cannot be allowed to continue."

Businesses around the Marabella market were complaining that "vendors leave their vehicles on their premises and go to sell in the market, interfering with business opportunities."

Those areas would be targeted, Regrello warned. But wrecking will return "in limited areas only in the city centre.

"We are not really targeting the public per se but we are asking the public to adhere to the guidelines. We are asking them to work with us, to support us and co-operate with us, because we know it is a difficult time.”

Regrello also announced that on Friday morning, Port of Spain, Curepe and Chaguanas taxis would be allowed to return to Upper High Street and Harris Promenade. The taxis were recently moved to Kings Wharf to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre.

“We are giving them a bligh for one morning – Friday. The Port of Spain taxis would go back to Harris Promenade and the Curepe and Chaguanas taxis would come on upper High Street.”

He said this is to accommodate the sod-turning for the San Fernando Waterfront Project on Friday morning, as well as a military funeral for acting Corporal Stephen Swanson. The funeral will be held at the Revival Time Assembly Church on King’s Wharf. Swanson, 49, of Esperance Village, San Fernando, died from a suspected heart attack