Sep 14 - Government Says It Has Provided Traffic Solutions That Work For Gibraltar
The Government says that in the absence of any positive ideas of their own the GSD have resorted to empty criticism in a thinly-veiled attempt to appear proactive, adding that whilst the GSD choose to now criticise without offering anything constructive, they also failed to put any ideas forward to the public consultation for the STTPP.
Over the last five years the Government claims it has made unprecedented inroads in improving Gibraltar’s transport infrastructure:
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The Eastern Beach public car park has significantly reduced summertime congestion in the area whilst the MidTown Coach and Car Park offers a unique solution to parking at the centre of town;
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Residents of Beach View Terraces and Mons Calpe Mews have all been allocated a private, covered parking space within their estates;
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The employment of 16 Highways Enforcement Officers – with a hotline for the anonymous reporting of offences: 56748000 – provides a new approach to dealing with abandoned vehicles unfairly occupying parking spaces on Gibraltar’s streets;
- Catching the bus in Gibraltar has never been easier. The new fleet of red buses offer an accessible, comfortable, free way to travel all around Gibraltar and the new Night Bus service extends this opportunity well into the night. The public are strongly advised to use the Bus Tracker WebApp to help plan their journeys, particularly at peak times. http://track.bus.gi/
A spokesman for No 6 added: "The traffic issues that some have experienced over the past few days are logistical problems created by the return to school. This is evident in the ‘rush hour’ nature of the traffic congestion and lack of parking spaces. It is also easily explained: at St Joseph’s School, for example, 842 pupils all arrive at the same time and many are driven to school by their parents.
"Indeed, the dreaded ‘rush hour’ is a problem that cities worldwide must find their own creative solutions to. Gibraltar is no different. However, Gibraltar has a very high rate of vehicle ownership per capita. Whilst this is a sign of our vibrant economy we must all, as responsible citizens, play a part in finding our own creative solutions.
Minister for Transport Paul Balban said: "The transport and parking problems that Gibraltar is currently experiencing are not new. What are new are the unprecedented investments in Gibraltar’s transport infrastructure and the innovative solutions that this Government is implementing.
"It is important to remember that public transport is completely free for Gibraltar residents and catching the bus has never been easier thanks to the development of the Bus Tracker WebApp. Simultaneously, the Government has also been working hard at public awareness campaigns. I urge everyone to participate in the Department of the Environment’s “In town without my car” day on Sunday 18th September as part of European Mobility Week."
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