Scores of road delineators were uprooted from the soft shoulder of West Bay Road by the National Roads Authority, who say the removal is to facilitate the installation of new cycle lanes.
The delineators, some of which have been installed in excess of two years, were located at the entrances and exits of several hotels and private condominiums in small clusters stretching miles along West Bay Road.
A statement released by the infrastructure and transport ministry on Wednesday, 26 June said Minster Jay Ebanks and the NRA director “took decisive action” to remove the “unlawful barriers”, which were obstructing access to the road, while assessing stormwater management needs.
“Accessible, safe, and efficient roads are vital for the well-being of our community,” said Ebanks in his statement. “My Ministry leads the National Road Safety Strategy, and addressing these two critical issues—removing unlawful barriers and assessing stormwater management—is essential for public safety.”
When Cayman Compass contacted the NRA, Transportation Planner Marion Pandohie noted that while most of the barriers were installed legally, some property owners had not sought permission prior to blocking the road access.
“Several of the establishments did apply for permission to install the delineators and were granted approval by the NRA,” Pandohie said. “When granting approval for the delineators, the main concern was sightline safety, as parked vehicles would often obstruct the view of existing vehicles.”
Pandohie added, “However, when they were granted approval, it was always with the understanding that there would eventually come a time that the delineators would have to be removed to facilitate the installation of cycle lanes.”
Other concerns include the type of materials used by the property owners. The Compass understands that at least one property owner installed metal delineators, which were flagged as a safety concern and were subsequently removed by the proprietor.
No timeline has been given on when the new cycle lanes will be installed.
In the interim, NRA is advising the public to report any issues that affect public road access, except those which are sanctioned by the NRA. To report such a matter, the public can call 946-7780 or email [email protected].
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