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Northern port
Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy. (FP)
Published on: 5/9/2009.
by CAROL-ANN TUDOR
PLANS ARE AFOOT for the construction of a small Port in Speightstown, St Peter.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy said yesterday that basic adjustments would be made to the jetty in Speightstown to accommodate small vessels.
"Given the structure of the area, large cruise vessels will not be able to berth there, but officials are looking at the potential economic benefits of having another port," he said.
Although he could not say how soon vessels would start berthing, or what would be the overall cost of the project, Sealy said having a port in Speightstown would mean that visitors to the island coming in at that end would bring more life to the area and hopefully more revenue.
The minister made the comments while speaking at the launch of the Bajan Pride Expositions at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill.
In an interview later Pierre Spenard, owner of Mangoes By The Sea Restaurant in Speightstown, said while he had heard of the plans, the whole town was "just sitting on a fence waiting to see what will happen".
He said a port in Speightstown would help restore the town to its historic stature, and would offer a chance to promote better community tourism.
"It would be nice to see Speightstown retain its character. It used to be the capital of this great country, and it's rich in heritage tradition and history."
He said a look at Arlington House Museum across the street would show the full life of the town. Spenard has been in that location for 14 years and said the town hadn't moved much, outside of Arlington House Museum and Archer's Hall.
Owner of Fisherman Pub and Beach Bar, Clement Armstrong, said he too had heard of the plan, even under the previous government, and although he would welcome the initiative, the question was when would it happen?
"I have welcomed the idea since 14 years ago, but I am still waiting to hear when it will start. We had trial runs one year and when the people came, the first thing they asked was 'where is Holetown?'
"Nobody knows about Speightstown; it is a black business place. But it's 20 minutes away from the Wildlife Reserve, Farley Hill, Bathsheba and Animal Flower Cave, so it would take a load off the traffic in Bridgetown and may bring good business," he said.
10 comment found!
Port In Speightstown : 5/9/2009
Don,t see why they cant let the cruise ships dock offshore and tender the visitors into shore. i've been on cruises and never had a problem with taking the tender to get to shore, this is done on a lot of small islands already. also its time we get a ferry service up and running, a fast ferry for regular trips to bridgetown and a scenic or slow ferry for the visitors and the like.
Sounds good lets explore it deeper. : 5/9/2009
I think it sounds like a great idea. I've always thought Barbados needed to start looking at decentralisation due to the traffic bottlenecking that goes on as you get closer to Bridgetown so hopefully this could be a little catalyst to business in Barbados chosing Speightstown too for their main operations. Everything--- doesn't need to be jampacked by Bridgetown. Customs and Immigration I believe already has a small facility at the Port St. Charles development that could be shifted to Speightstown?? Esp. since PSC doesn't really like non -residents down-inside their development anyway. Perhaps B'dos could plan for a large cruise terminal in 20-30 years or so. After all Bridgetown's terminal was built by filling land until it went out deep enough and even then it was still dredged under 10 years ago.
: 5/9/2009
Great idea. A very sound incoming generating venture and an avenue to create much and varied employment prospects. Please reserve lots of those jobs for locals. By the way, whatever became of the ferry service which was "almost" in operation a few years ago? Dumb
Port in the North : 5/9/2009
What about Customs & Immigration controls...
: 5/9/2009
Good Idea : 5/9/2009
This move will take Barbados to the next level and offer a new exciting way to see coastal Barbados which is breathtaking. Visitors and locals will have a chance to enjoy a regular ferry service that offers a more tranquil calming way of getting between the two points. I say, go for it! and hurry. Bajan outside looking in.
North/to/southport. : 5/9/2009
How about daily ferry service between Oistins Bridge/Hole and Speightstown covered jetty's for shelter kiss and ride drop off or pickups with parking lots a jetty around kensington oval area . would this work in bim? Reduce traffic, less road maintenance cost, pollution,better option than flyovers which maintenance can be costly and a eyesore.The theme in any big city around the world is reduce traffic. Flyovers encourage traffic that will lead to bottle neck traffic.
Northern Point : 5/9/2009
That would be such a great thing to bring to speightown, LOVE IT. FINALLY
Northern Port : 5/9/2009
Finally had a good thought!!! Since moving the traffic away from the town, Speightstown died a slow death. Isn’t it surprising that the last PM didn't have the foresight to build his constituency by revitalizing the area. The people from the North need to have businesses closer to them than could bring jobs and enhance the area. Additionally, it could help alleviate some of the traffic problems that occur around Bridgetown. As stated, the bus routes from the eastern parishes as brought customers to the area but the business aspect has been significantly lacking. I hope it happens and real soon.
NORTHERN PORT : 5/9/2009
Well i am a bajin working on a cuise ship as Food & Beverage manager and i think that this would be a very good idea, because i talk to my guest onborad the ship and a lot of them and the crew would like to visit to Farley Hill, Bathsheba and Animal Flower Cave,they see theses places because most the time its to far away and they dont have the time to go there and back. most the crew have they break between 2pm and 5pm so this would never be enough to visit these places . And one more point, I think that they should make one nice place in the Bridgetown port where the cruise ship vistors can take pictures while intering Barbados, this say alot when they are telling and showing they friends and family about the island
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