by Tracy Moore

THE OISTINS BUS TERMINAL will be moved from its seaside location to across the street where the Esso petrol station once stood.

Minister of Public Works, John Boyce said this yesterday at the opening of the 31st Oistins Fish Festival at Oistins Bay Gardens just east of the fish market.

"For some time we have been seeking to relocate our bus stand onto the land side of Oistins . . . where the Esso gas station used to be, and then this area on the beach side becoming available for Barbadians and visitors alike to use," he said.

The minister said Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. had discussed the possibility of using the seaside for a small hotel, "but we will look at finally acquiring the land and the old Oistins Station to move the bus terminal over on that side where there is a lot more space, and then freeing up that area on the beach side either for parking or effective tourism development."

Boyce said Oistins could become a major player in relieving traffic congestion with either a park-and-ride solution, small or medium car parks, or a jetty for fast ferries, all of which he said were being contemplated.

In addition, he said his ministry was discussing with the Ministry of Agriculture the conversion of some of the temporary stalls used during the development of Bay Gardens to provide temporary accommodation for craftsmen.

"To a large extent Barbadian craft is undersold in facilities in this nation and I would like to see a greater emphasis in this regard."

He also noted that better pedestrian access and lighting were already underway from the Maxwell to St Lawrence coast which, he said, would "add to the sustainability [of the area] and remove the Friday and Saturday lime . . . [to] see a product which is more used throughout the week, every day of the week".