Revenue in reverse - Traffic congestion costing Linstead businesses

 Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

LINSTEAD, St Catherine:

SOME BUSINESSES in Linstead, St Catherine, are bemoaning the decline in revenues as they continue to face an uphill battle due to inadequate parking facilities for customers and traffic congestion, particularly on traditional market days.

The problem has been further compounded by the relocation of taxi and bus operators to Parade Avenue, in the heart of the town, from a marl-covered section along King Street, which was previously used as the taxi and bus stand, to facilitate construction of the Linstead transportation centre.

However, even as there are visible parking spaces at the front of business places like JR's Bargain World, operating under the Progressive Group at 31 King Street since 2002, customers are still experiencing challenges.

"From late last year, we've been having a problem at the front where the police are telling us that the section is a no-parking zone - the entire section at the front. So each time customers come along, sometimes they are inside shopping, they have to run out, leave the grocery, to remove the vehicle.

"It's affecting the business. A lot of customers complain that they can't park elsewhere and come in here to shop," Verona McPherson, manager, JR's Bargain World told The Gleaner.

She indicated that the matter had been taken to the relevant authorities.

"I spoke to my director and Mr Page from the St Catherine Parish Council. He said he is going to come and look at it, but we should put a letter in writing, and my director is in the process of doing that," she explained.

Ferdinand Page, the council's commercial services manager, confirmed that he had dialogue with McPherson, but he was yet to receive the letter.

Meanwhile, Lee's Super Fair on Fletcher's Avenue, opposite the market, is also dogged by the crippling effects of traffic congestion as a section of the road is used as a taxi stand.

"The traffic congestion I think is half the reason why in here is so empty. People don't have anywhere to park, so they just drive past or don't travel on this road at all. We are most affected on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays when the sellers in the market come out and create a bigger obstacle," lamented the owner.

Vendors display their goods of varying kinds on tarpaulins placed on the ground in front of the supermarket, occupying the four-vehicle parking space designated for customers. The area is noticeably clear when the police are on patrol.

Then, there are handcart operators soliciting business from shoppers unable to carry their purchases to their respective destinations.

The supermarket owner expressed fear that a continuous decrease in customers could lead to closure of the enterprise, resulting in the loss of jobs for 14 persons.

And even though Donna Green, supervisor, Crystal Bakery, operating from 48A King Street, is not attributing a decline in business to challenges with parking for customers, she laments the congestion which, on several occasions, has delayed delivery.

"We have difficulty with the congestion on King Street because when the truck comes for delivery, sometimes the driver has to go around the streets two, three times before he can get a space to park. "This is because someone always parks before the shop, and sometimes we can't find the driver of the vehicle. If we can, we tell them that the truck is here. Sometimes they move, sometimes they don't want to move," Green said.

On the other hand, customers to the area have also complained about the inconvenience when they visit to do business.

"I come to the post office to send off a parcel to Canada and I couldn't find any where to park, so I had to park on a road a little distance away from the post office then walk for a little," Hayden Jordan, a travelling minister for Jehovah's Witnesses, shared with The Gleaner.

In the jostling for parking spaces, the small parking area at the back of the post office is oftentimes occupied by persons transacting business elsewhere.

Woeful inadequacy

Similarly, customers of the 35-member staff fast-food outlet, Tastee, located at 33A and 33B King Street, which opened in November 2010, have also voiced their disgust with the woeful inadequacy of designated parking.

"A major factor for us in putting up the Linstead store was the density of foot traffic, being that the location was in the heart of the town and close to the market. Our type of business requires high population density, and parking facilities depend on the location. So, for example, our stores in downtown Kingston would be similar to Linstead as they are in the busy shopping districts, while our Patrick City and Stony Hill locations have ample parking space and a drive-through to facilitate our customers," explained Dave Myrie, Tastee Group general manager.

Meanwhile, Winston Kelly, superintendent roads and works, St Catherine Parish Council, said the council has been scouting for lots to establish parking areas within the town.

"There is no final proposal because what we were looking for was some lands in the area to put up some parking in Linstead. Now that the year has started, we need to look again, but I don't see anything happening before the parish council election," Kelly disclosed.

The problem has been further compounded by the relocation of taxi and bus operators to Parade Avenue, in the heart of the town, from a marl-covered section along King Street, which was previously used as the taxi and bus stand, to facilitate construction of the Linstead transportation centre.