POINTE BLANCHE–The long-shelved plan to connect Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities with Philipsburg via a bay-side boardwalk is back in the limelight again. The exact cost for the link has not yet been worked out.
Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Stuart Johnson announced in the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday that commitments have been secured from property owners along whose land the boardwalk will run.
“We have the commitments of property owners Bobby’s Marina and Dock Maarten to facilitate the construction of the boardwalk link and my ministry will be working closely with these property owners to see the start of construction of the boardwalk link within a few short weeks,” Johnson told the press.
The idea of the connection is “to provide a safe pathway to our guests who wish to walk to Philipsburg,” Johnson said. The need for safety of cruise passengers and residents walking from Pointe Blanche to town has become more evident in recent days with increased traffic in the area.
“I believe in the interest of ‘prevention above cure’ we must urgently work to ensure that our cruise visitors can get an easy leisurely walk to the Philipsburg shopping centre,” he said.
The proposed link is also geared at cutting down increased cruise passenger harassment at the entrance to the port and to reduce traffic congestion there.
“I can cosmetically put controllers. I could cosmetically get justice involved and put police officers, VKS [Volunteer Corps – Ed.] and everybody there to control the situation, but as those officers move away the situation remains unless we find a structural solution,” said Johnson.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83104-plans-revived-for-connecting-port-and-town-via-boardwalk
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