September 18, 2008

The US Consul General Gregory Slayton's determination that because the road alongside his nation's Consulate premises is "literally a death trap" and thus conveniently for him justifies his grabbing of a further piece of the rock, is an exaggeration in the extreme.

Why he thinks "his" portion of Middle Road is more of a death trap than countless other portions of the highways and byways of this island which residents encounter each day as they go about their business or pleasure begs a few questions.

The Government which he represents saw fit to construct their immense fortress, way in excess of what was required given the prevailing tranquility of this island, and totally failed to allow for parking in their planning.

For him to seek to exert pressure on our Government to provide not only land in general but a part of the garden of Clifton, the Official Residence of the Premier, is one demand too many. Former Premier Alex Scott is quite right to lodge his objection to this plan.

Furthermore, the entrance and exit to the planned carpark is smack on a bend of Middle Road which in itself, given the driving irregularities of those who utilise our roads, may indeed create a further "death trap" to use the behatted Consul General's ill-chosen words. Far better that those who wish to visit the Consulate, go park in the Arboretum carpark and walk with due care and attention, as we all do when on our mainly narrow Bermudian Roads.

STREETWISE

City of Hamilton