UDC Says Falmouth will Benefit from Pedestrianisation

Deputy General Manager with responsibility for Economic Development and Corporate Relations at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Lenworth Tracey, says that pedestrianisation of Water Square, Falmouth, is for the benefit of the town and should not affect established businesses.
He made the comments in an interview with JIS News on Thursday (August 26), against the background of media reports in western Jamaica of widespread objection, in Falmouth, to the pedestrianisation of sections of the town.
In recent consultations with residents of Falmouth, it was revealed that plans are afoot to close the town square to vehicular traffic, to make it more accommodating for visitors who will be arriving via the cruise ships using the newly constructed Falmouth cruise ship terminal, scheduled to open by November.
Mr. Tracey outlined that the pedestrianisation plans are not being considered as permanent changes, but for implementation on days when cruise ships are docked at the Falmouth Pier.
“Between now and December 31, there are only five ship days planned, so what we can expect to see between November and December is just five days when that area might be pedestrianised,” he said.
In outlining details about the planned closure of sections of the town, Mr. Tracey pointed out that only a very small section of Falmouth, Water Square, will be closed to vehicular traffic.
“It is a small section, but a very important section in terms of commerce, culture and those kinds of activity, (and the intention is) to try and create that space where the tourist, probably up to 10,000, can be accommodated in the town”, he stated.
He expressed the view that not creating an area to accommodate a high volume of people, where they can comfortably spend their money, would be running the risk of not having tourists who land at Falmouth Pier come into the town.
He insisted that the additional volume of tourists that will be passing through the town and utilising the area, will more than offset any traffic that would normally come through the area.
“So this idea about pedestrianisation is really for the benefit of the town, and I think, by and large, the message is getting out,” he stated.
He noted that one on one talks will be held with persons who still think that they will be negatively impacted by the limited pedestrianisation.