PDP reveals 12-point plan to revive Scarborough

The Progressive Democratic Patriots party has identified a 12-point plan to revitalise Scarborough, if the party is elected in the January 25 Tobago House of Assembly elections. Farley Augustine, PDP deputy political leader, believes these plans will return the island’s capital to its “glory days.”

In the second series of Primetime with Farley Augustine, featuring candidate for Calder Hall/ Scarborough Trevor James, on Sunday, the party narrowed in on the underdevelopment of Scarborough over the years. James discussed expanding Scarborough’s boundaries, addressing traffic congestion and modernising the area to promote business activity.

Major projects of this plan include a new ferry terminal, a roundabout and opening a museum. As a way to stimulate business activity and significantly boost the island’s tourism, James believes the island needs three piers to allow the simultaneous docking of three large cruise ships. Plans also include the re-purposing of the Botanical Gardens in downtown Scarborough, rebuilding the Scarborough Esplanade along Milford Road to include duty-free shopping, as well as hotels, marina and a craft centre.He revealed plans to beautify Carrington Street, located near the Botanical Gardens by putting benches, trees and free Wi-Fi.

The construction of an amphitheatre is also a part of the party’s revitalisation plan for the capital. James said, “We want to conceptualise a new Botanic Gardens that becomes a tourist attraction. Why doesn’t our child know more about the trees in there and the history of them?”There are also plans to enhance security in and around the city. His vision for a refined Scarborough will introduce new boundaries: Bacolet point in the east, Lambeau/ Signal Hill Connector Road in the west, six miles out to sea in the south and from French Fort through Mt Grace Philadelphia Trace to Plymouth Road in the north.

A roundabout is proposed for the corner of Milford Road and Orange Hill road. James said this will facilitate entry into the Scarborough port via the new Port Street. He said traffic is a perennial problem when a ferry vessel is docking.

The PDP also promised to address issues of parking and flooding, and embark on initiatives to promote and encourage business activity in Scarborough.The party accused the PNM-led THA of stifling and pushing businesses out of Scarborough by renting most of the commercial spaces. James went on to condemn the PNM administration for turning a blind eye to opportunities to transform Scarborough.

“They (PNM) have no will to change things. There is no desire to bring service to the people. And so the question is, 'What are they in office for?'” he asked. Of the 12 areas of development, part five deals with the construction of transportation hubs at two points in Scarborough along with a walkover to the transportation hub. This plan is connected to another plan to construct a walkover linking the Gardenside Street car park to the transportation hub, and a multi-storey car park for government offices, situated along the outskirts of the capital.

At each turn of this plan, James said, there is a focus on encouraging business activity. A major component of easing traffic congestion deals with connecting Smithfield to Sangster’s Hill and putting a roundabout on the Claude Noel Highway to facilitate these changes. This is followed by the sixth proposal which is to connect Sangster’s Hill and Dutch Fort. James said there is a “space challenge,” but there is an opportunity for a one-way street to ease traffic congestion. “This is critical for Scarborough because the movement and the traffic situation in Scarborough needs to be looked at.”Another major move is relocating T&TEC from Scarborough to Cove, which is closer to Crown Point and provides a service centre in the same area.

Newsday contacted PNM candidate for the Scarborough/ Calder Hall Marslyn Melville-Jack to discuss her plans for the area, but she said she wasn't ready to reveal it.