…Gov’t, Vendors Explore Alternatives
Vending along the Plaisance Railway embankment will continue temporarily until an acceptable solution for an alternative location is found.
This decision was arrived at during an engagement between Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the vendors on Monday evening.
After listening to concerns raised by the vendors, Vice President Jagdeo has put a temporary hold on the notice for removal within seven days.
The notice was issued in keeping with the Government’s plan to expand the road along the railway embankment from two to four lanes.
The effects of this project, however, were brought to the Vice President’s attention during Sunday’s Local Government Elections’ ‘thank you’ event in Georgetown, resulting in his decision to meet with the vendors.
Dr. Jagdeo has since instructed the Public Works Ministry to return to the area and to mark off where the road will extend to, so that vendors and the owners of private properties will be made aware of how this will affect them.
In addition, a committee has been formed to collect the names of everyone who will be affected, after which the VP will further engage the vendors and private property owners – separately.
Noteworthy, however, is while all of this is being done, vending will continue in the area, for at least another six months.
The vendors have since proposed several solutions for alternative vending, including building the Plaisance market upwards and widening a road from the Railway Embankment to the Main Road.
Regarding the traditional Sunday Market Day, the VP says this can remain in place, since it is a day with less traffic and the road will be wider to accommodate both.