Public Works Ministry issues final removal notice to vendors along ECD road improvement project

The Ministry of Public Works has issued a final removal/relocation notice to vendors operating within the alignment of the East Coast Road Improvement Project along the Railway Embankment at Buxton.

The notice follows efforts by the Ministry to facilitate the relocation of vendors affected by the ongoing infrastructure works.

As part of this process, a lottery exercise was conducted to allocate spaces at a newly constructed tarmac adjacent to the Buxton-Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

A total of 61 persons participated in the allocation process, providing affected vendors with an alternative location from which to continue their operations.

Despite this arrangement, some vendors have yet to relocate, resulting in a delay to the continuation of works along the Railway Embankment at Buxton.

The continued presence of vendors and other activities within close proximity to the active construction zone also presents significant safety concerns for the vendors, workers and other members of the public.

During a site visit yesterday, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, issued a final notice to those vendors who have not yet relocated, stressing the need for immediate compliance to allow the works to proceed safely and without further interruption.

The Minister emphasised that the Ministry recognises the importance of accommodating persons who may be affected by major infrastructure projects. However, once alternative arrangements have been put in place, stakeholders are expected to cooperate with the relocation process, particularly where their continued presence poses a risk to public safety and impedes the execution of critical infrastructure works.

The Ministry is therefore reminding residents, vendors, businesses and all other stakeholders located within the direct alignment of active project areas that their cooperation with contractors, and by extension the Ministry, is essential to ensuring that projects can progress within the required timelines and to the benefit of the wider community.

The Ministry said remains committed to engaging stakeholders and facilitating practical solutions where possible. At the same time, it said it will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that critical public infrastructure projects are not unnecessarily delayed and that construction activities can be undertaken in a safe, orderly and efficient manner.