Point Fortin is the only town in the world with a roundabout that is not a roundabout. A few years ago the traffic flows around what is known as the "Hi-Lo roundabout" were changed so that one could encircle the roundabout. In addition, traffic along the market, Wickham and Tanner streets was made one-way without consultation with the residents to be affected.Consequently, on a daily basis, literally thousands of vehicles entering Point Fortin from the south west peninsula (Erin, Buenos Ayres, Chatham, Cedros, Icacos etc) have to use Tanner Street, which is in a residential area with a few elderly citizens.
What the changed traffic plan has done is to remove the traffic jams from the commercial district to a residential area. Utter madness!Residents of Tanner Street in particular are now subjected to two forms of pollution 24 hours a day: 1. noise pollution, especially from large commercial vehicles and all PTSC buses entering Point Fortin; and 2. air pollution, particularly from diesel vehicles.
It is no exaggeration to state that residents feel as though the heavy vehicles are driving through their living rooms, and it is worse at nighttime. In addition, there are some days when the toxic fumes literally burns one's eyes.Letters to the office of the Mayor of Point Fortin seeking a revision of the traffic flows have not yielded any positive results. Perhaps the Traffic Management division of the Ministry of Works should now get involved.
Annette Singh,
via e-mail