Public upset over Grand Harbour roundabout changes

Shouting, laughing and jeering are not sounds that would normally be expected during a public meeting about a roundabout, but on Thursday evening, 18 May, emotions were running high.

More than 100 residents attended the Opposition-hosted event at the Seafarers Association in Red Bay to discuss the proposed redirection of traffic on the Grand Harbour roundabout.

Many were eager to ask questions and offer alternatives, some even taking to the stage to express their upset and confusion over the upcoming changes.

In the spotlight during the meeting was Edward Howard, managing director of the National Roads Authority – the body responsible for developing and maintaining the roads.

He began by explaining that it was the NRA board of directors that made the decision to make alterations to the traffic flow on the roundabout, to be implemented on 5 June.

On that date, orange posts will be erected along the lane leading from the Grand Harbour exit which will prevent drivers from entering the roundabout.

If they need to travel onto South Sound Road or Crewe Road, they will instead have to head east along Shamrock Road and circle the next roundabout to return to the original roundabout.

‘Most cost-effective’

Howard said the decision “wasn’t taken lightly” and came following discussions on traffic flow, conditions and safety with concerned members of the public.

He described the roundabout as a “contentious issue” due to its location and use as a major thoroughfare, with 16,000 to 20,000 cars passing through every day.

This may rise to about 50,000 in the next 10 years or so, he said, “so a roundabout of this size isn’t necessarily able to handle all of that future projected growth”.

He said the board is looking at options for the future and a study has been carried out on traffic in Red Bay and Prospect, which will be presented to the public soon.

But its immediate concern is the proposed “urgent safety measure” he said, which is the “most cost-effective and easiest way” to deal with traffic issues on the roundabout.

Howard said the NRA will be hosting a second public meeting within the next few weeks to address further concerns.

As the managing director presented his case, attendees began to make noise, and when he explained that the start date will come a few weeks before students go on summer break, that led to loud objections.

Responding to an email he had received from a member of the public, he denied suggestions that the change would add 45 minutes onto a commute from Grand Harbour into George Town, saying it would only add seven to eight minutes.

Improvements are meanwhile going ahead on Linford Pierson Highway to increase it to six lanes in the next 18 months, Howard said, which he predicts will decrease the congestion.

Not the only option

Dozens of residents took to the floor to ask questions and offer alternative solutions to the traffic problem, with speed bumps, traffic lights and new speed limits at the top of the list.

One speaker compared the Grand Harbour roundabout to the Camana Bay roundabout, which they said also has three lanes of traffic to traverse when exiting.

She added that something should be done about the speed of cars entering the roundabout which often approach at up to 60 miles per hour.

There are other accident hotspots, the speaker added, and suggested the NRA contact insurance companies to find out where they are.

Several other residents asked where the data is to support claims that the roundabout is dangerous, and if that can be made publicly available.

One attendee said, “If you want to talk about safety, put in [speed] bumps here,” adding that they are a worldwide traffic-calming measure.

He also said the left lane leading from Crewe Road into Grand Harbour is dangerous as traffic does not slow down.

A Grand Harbour resident said the only time the roundabout is difficult to traverse is in the afternoon and asked for any solution to be limited to those few hours.

Another speaker said having three lanes on the roundabout makes it difficult to exit.

“There’s always someone on the outside lane that sees you moving, and they think it’s fun to accelerate and get you stuck,” he added.

One man accused the NRA of making a “massive mistake” because drivers will have to cross lanes to be able to exit the roundabout due to the new posts.

‘Has to be fixed’

Eric Bush, chief officer at the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, told attendees the NRA board will be meeting on 31 May.

“I can guarantee you, all that has been said here will be represented for the board to consider,” he said.

Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks, whose remit now includes transport, then took to the stage to reassure residents that he had made a note of all their concerns and would be relaying them to the board.

“I know this has to be fixed, we have to do something about it,” he said. “I can guarantee you this is not left on deaf ears. I am a person who gets things done.”

Also at the meeting were Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, MP for George Town East; Alden McLaughlin, MP for Red Bay; Kenneth Bryan, MP for George Town Central; and Sabrina Turner, MP for Prospect.