Although the government has not finalised changes to the Planning laws to prohibit the selling of used cars from private property not approved for that use, it has found a way of eliminating the cars for sale on roadside government property.
Cabinet Minister Arden McLean said at the Cabinet press briefing on Friday the government will impound cars parked on government property.
‘It becomes a matter of ownership, just like private property,’ he said, comparing it to the situation of a car being parked on a private individual’s property without permission.
Mr. McLean said the cars parked on the side of the Silver Oaks Roundabout across from King’s Sports Centre have already been removed and the cars parked in the vicinity across from Treasure Island are next because they are on a government-owned 50-foot road reserve.
‘All those who have vehicles across from Seven Mile Shops, I would advise them to move them immediately,’ he said. ‘On government property, I have responsibility and… [the road reserve] is not a used-car lot.’
Mr. McLean said the cars would be impounded soon.
Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts announced almost a year ago that the Planning Laws would be changed to prohibit the sale of cars from the roadside, citing the dangers of the practice as well as the unsightliness.
The process of changing the law with respect to the cars for sale has turned out to be a slow one because they have become part of the comprehensive review of the Planning laws, Mr. Tibbetts said Friday.
When the changes are eventually made, the Planning laws will regulate how private land can be used and specify the penalties of using land for purposes outside of its zoning.
The Department of Environment can issue abatement notices on cars parked by the roadside, but the process of having a car removed in that case is a slow one.
On another issue concerning traffic, Mr. McLean once again appealed to motorists to stop dangerous driving.
‘I don’t know how many times I’ve done that, but it appears I have to repeat myself,’ he said.
This time, Mr. McLean was speaking specifically about they way motorists are manoeuvring through road construction areas.
‘My main concern is that motorists continue to ignore road blockages,’ he said, adding that motorists are simply removing cones that are used to temporarily close roads and driving through work areas.
‘That’s a very dangerous thing to do,’ he said, adding that the situation could result in an accident with heavy equipment.
‘[The heavy equipment operators] are expecting to be working unmolested by vehicular traffic,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t make sense for the motorists to continue to move the equipment used to block the roads. Someone is going to get hurt and they are hampering progress.’
Mr. McLean said some motorists are even cursing the staff members of the National Roads Authority who are working on the roads.
‘It’s becoming a bother and our staff is not getting through with its work,’ he said.
Mr. McLean said he realised the road works caused some inconvenience, but he appealed to motorists to use alternative routes.
‘Arrive at your destination two minutes later,’ he said. ‘Arrive alive.’
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