Jun 01 – STTPP To Form The Plan For The Next 20 Years
The Government stresses that it is “not ducking any questions whatsoever” as it has been accused of doing by the Opposition in the latest exchanges over its traffic and transport plan. The Government argues that what the Opposition needs to understand is that the STTPP has been a “very thorough piece of work; a document that will form the plan for the next 20 years or more.”
The Government says it will not rush this work just because the Opposition wishes it. This is, it says, work in progress and, as such, when the final document is ready, all of Gibraltar will be able to access the full extent of it with no part will being left out just because it could be inconvenient.
A statement continues:
“What is amusing are the incessant demands from the Honourable Selwyn Figueras, who does not want to understand that the report will be published, just as the draft document was published, for all to see. Mr Figueras’ lack of understanding of this principle is amusing. It is amusing that Mr Figueras expected the Government to provide him with a complete list of all the comments and suggestions made as a result of the public consultation exercise before the final report is published, just because he seems to believe that this is what should be done.
“Mr Figueras acts as if his Party were never in Government. It is this GSLP/Liberal Government that has already provided the public with a full draft document, has allowed more public scrutiny and input than has ever been seen, and will not rush a plan of such importance as the GSD did when they published a pamphlet of their plan at the 11th hour before the general election in 2011.
“With regards to the Commonwealth Park, the promised parking bays are being provided in the immediate area, admittedly a revision of the previous plan for a two-storey car park.
“The Opposition should note that even before the publication of the final STTPP document some of the suggested pilot schemes are being implemented, including the St Joseph’s pilot scheme, pedestrian countdown timers, speed limit monitors, new crossings at the Trafalgar interchange and a pilot roundabout. The Government will not shy away from trial schemes simply because they might be unpopular.”
{fcomment}
