Publication: Weekend Nation
Paper Section And Page: 4
Paper Date: Fri, Feb 1, 2002
Byline: by Chris Gollop
The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) and the Police Force remain on a
collision course over the collection of garbage in Swan Street, The City. The
WEEKEND NATION has learnt that up to last week a policeman warned an SSA driver
for trying to access the newly-paved street via a narrow side street.
This followed the reporting in December of two SSA drivers who actually drove on the decoratively paved roads collecting garbage over the Christmas holidays. Police said their instructions were that no vehicles were to travel along Swan Street, except for emergency vehicles.
In an effort to get around the problem, the
drivers had resorted to reversing down three adjoining side roads Busby
Alley, Bolton Lane and
Middle Street to collect garbage left close to the corners. But with
this new warning from police about the use of those side roads,
the SSA is seeking an urgent meeting with representatives from the Ministry of
Public Transport and the police to have the matter resolved.
"We really can't fault the sanitation workers at all," said one Swan Street businessman. "They have been bending over backwards to accommodate us. This matter has to be resolved and urgently."
SSA general manager Chris Griffith agreed. "We can't be held responsible for the condition of Swan Street if we cannot access it," he told the WEEKEND NATION.
But he said his workers had used all means possible to get around the problem because of the potential dangers of leaving garbage on the street.
"The danger is multifold," Griffith said. "If material is not removed, it is a potential fire hazard. It also attracts and harbours rodents. And it is a target for vagrants."
He recalled that during a planning meeting for
the redevelopment of Bridgetown, he had met with the designers concerning access
to Swan Street.
There was also concern at the time about the placement of potted plants in the
road. With regard to the restrictions on traffic, he said he would be surprised
if it had to do with the newly-paved roads.
"I really hope it is not because the
streets are cobbled," he said, because I can think of similarly paved
streets in other parts of the world
where there are such restrictions."
Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Public Works in Transport Cedric Archer, could not be reached for comment.