Traffic situation on Saturday Market at Mahaica is messy  

Dear Editor,

The traffic situation contiguous to the Mahaica Market on Saturdays can be messy at times. This situation is brought on by the following reasons:

[i] the roadway in that vicinity is narrow.

[ii] the Mahaica minibus park, the Mahaicony minibus park, the Berbice minibus park, the Cane Grove car park and the taxi parks are all within close vicinity of the market.

[iii] the fishing boats harbour is nearby.

[iv] a gas station is nearby.

[v] in close proximity are a supermarket and a popular grocery store which are directly opposite each        other.

[vi] Snackettes, fruit stalls, a hardware store, bars, a restaurant, shops and other small businesses line the roadway.

[vii] a major intersection is on one side and a minor intersection is on the other side of the market and,

[viii] the market area cannot be extended going eastwards because of the Mahaica River neither can it be extended westwards because of a canal and private properties.

This situation will be exacerbated when the commercial bank that is under construction nearby begins operation in a matter of months.

The Traffic ranks who are posted at the location to direct the traffic do a good job but the situation can be made a lot easier for them. Following are a few suggestions to alleviate the situation:

[i] paint the lines that delineate the lanes of the roadway in order to prevent the vendors from       encroaching onto the roadway.

[ii] the Neighbourhood Democratic Council [ NDC] should utilize the space that is available on the top floor of the market for the construction of stalls for vendors to occupy. This should reduce the

encumbrance of the roadside.

[iii] construct a boardwalk, about 8 to 10 metres wide, adjacent to the western bank of the Mahaica

River, extending from where the Stelling was, going 100 metres to the south. This boardwalk can                              serve as a multi-purpose facility as follows:

•   it should be able to accommodate the vendors who occupy one side of the roadway,

thereby relieving the congestion of the roadway.

•   the boardwalk will contribute to the prevention of river erosion in that same location by

  encouraging accretion of materials which are transported by the river.

•   it can be put to other beneficial uses egs. recreation, relaxation, regattas, walks [ keep-fit

  activities], kite flying, sports fishing and other forms of entertainment.

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•   it can serve as the port for the Mahaica River tours [ ecotourism].
•   it will result in a freer flow of traffic.

While I am at it, please allow me to make a pitch for Mahaica to be considered to be made a town

whenever the next round for the naming of towns arises. This means that the Unity – Vereeniging NDC has to rise to the challenge. Get on board NDC!  Make it happen!  Go Mahaica!

Yours sincerely,

Bernel L. H. Wickham.