May 04 - GSD Criticises Government's "Reckless Upper Rock Policy"
The GSD has accused the Government of Gibraltar of being "headstrong on recklessly enforcing the Upper Rock ban for tourists in private vehicles".
A statement from the GSD said: "A month has elapsed since Government underhandedly introduced the ban on foreign vehicles entering the Nature Reserve and the lack of planning, is proving chaotic at times, particularly evident last weekend when significant tail backs were experienced at Engineer Road.
"This could have been avoided or handled better if Government would have placed prominent signs around Gibraltar and/or had someone at the bottom of Engineer Road as they do at Windmill Hill. Instead the tailbacks meant that access to the Upper Rock was made difficult at times causing unnecessary delays (dare we say fumes) for tourists, locals and public service users.
"Consequently, the argument given by Government that this fast tracked policy is part of the Upper Rock Management Plan is a nonsense. It smacks of a badly thought out "back room deal" with some public service vehicle operators. The irony is that it is doubtful whether this policy is going to lead to more tourists using public service vehicles to visit the Upper Rock. It will simply mean less visitors to one of our most important tourist attractions and less revenue for the Government."
GSD spokesman Lawrence Llamas said: “Negative experiences like this will dominate the overall experience of a holiday which will then be taken back home to families and friends. It can give Gibraltar a bad image.
"It is also shocking that people with disabilities are still being turned away or forced out of their vehicles. I remind the Government of the draft Disability Bill which is yet to be brought to Parliament, in particular I quote 'in the development of such policy or programme, have regard to the rights of persons with disabilities.
"With a little bit of imagination, Government could implement a park and ride from Lathbury Barracks and implement this policy in a far more logical manner."
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