Govt to develop truck parks to clear residential streets

The Housing Ministry is intensifying efforts to address the growing problem of trucks obstructing roadways and residential areas through the development of dedicated truck parks and designated auto zones across several regions.
The initiative, which forms part of the Government’s broader community development and urban planning agenda, is already being implemented at East Bank Grove, with plans for expansion along the East Coast, Region Five, Region Three, and Region Six.
Housing Minister Collin Croal, along with Minister within the Housing Ministry Vanessa Benn, made the announcement while outlining how measures under the 2026 National Budget are expected to significantly improve the quality of life for Guyanese.

Both Ministers acknowledged that the issue of improper truck parking has persisted for years and has worsened as economic activity and investment in the transportation sector continue to grow.
According to the Ministers, while the increase in truck ownership reflects expanded employment opportunities and economic development – particularly in the transportation of aggregates, lumber, and other materials – the absence of designated parking and service facilities has resulted in trucks occupying parapets, sidewalks, road shoulders, and residential streets, thereby creating safety hazards and disrupting community life.
“A lot of persons are talking about transportation and using the opportunity to invest in trucks as part of the transportation sector – for transporting aggregates and creating employment. But the problem is that when you go into the communities, you will see trucks on the parapets, cars on the sidewalks, and on the roadways… So our Government is now putting measures in place to assist in this regard,” Minister Croal stated.
During the discussion, questions were raised about what concrete steps were being planned to address the increasing presence of trucks parked within communities, particularly along road shoulders, parapets, and other public spaces not designed for heavy vehicles.
Minister Croal stressed that responsibility must begin with truck owners themselves, noting that purchasing heavy-duty equipment requires proper planning, including arrangements for secure and appropriate parking.
“The reality is, if you’re buying equipment or you’re buying a truck, you must take into consideration where you’re parking,” he said.
“We already have an aggressive programme in place. We want to have communities that are orderly. We want them to be clear. We want them to be clean. And there are certain parameters for how we want communities to look.”

Neighbourhood dilemma
The Minister further highlighted that many of the problems stem from the fact that trucks are not only being parked in residential areas but are also being serviced and repaired within those neighbourhoods.
He explained that residents have repeatedly raised concerns about noise, traffic congestion, hazardous materials, and unsafe mechanical practices occurring close to homes.
“Many of these trucks are in residential areas where persons are servicing their vehicles. They’re doing different mechanical activities,” Croal noted.
These new facilities, referred to as truck parks, will be available for leasing and will accommodate both individual truck owners and operators with multiple vehicles.
“We are developing truck parks across all the regions already, and we’ve started one at East Bank Grove, and this is being replicated – on the East Coast, in Region Five, Region Three, and Region Six.”
The Minister also pointed out that the concept of truck parks is designed to support business operations while keeping heavy vehicles out of residential neighbourhoods.
“If you have a truck or trucks, you can lease space where you can park them, service them, and do whatever is required to keep those trucks operable as part of your business. That’s part of your overhead expense,” he said.
Croal also drew attention to the sheer volume of trucks currently operating on Guyana’s roadways, particularly along the East Bank corridor, noting that the impact of truck traffic is felt not only during the day but also at night.
In addition to truck parks, the Minister revealed that the Government is also developing designated auto zones to address the widespread practice of conducting mechanical and bodywork activities within residential communities.
“You would be amazed at the volume of trucks we have on the road. You traverse the East Bank especially – you know. You hear them coming in from the sandpits at night… In every community, you have some bottom-house workshop. You have spray painting and other activities, and that is hazardous,” he said.

Auto zones
These auto zones will provide leased spaces for mechanics, bodywork specialists, and other automotive service providers to legally conduct their operations in areas designed for such activities.
“We’re going to be setting aside areas to allow persons to lease and conduct their AutoZone activities. These will be specially designated areas,” Croal explained.
He noted that these zones will also include proper facilities for environmentally sensitive practices, such as waste-oil disposal and vehicle maintenance, which are currently being carried out in unsafe and unregulated settings.
Croal emphasised that removing these activities from residential communities is particularly important, given the number of complaints received over the years about dust, fumes, and odours associated with spray painting and mechanical work.
The Minister also indicated that the initiative extends beyond residential neighbourhoods to major highways, which serve as key gateways to the hinterland and Region Ten. He noted that provisions are being made to accommodate lumber trucks, timber transporters, and other heavy-duty vehicles that frequently travel along these corridors.
Minister Croal highlighted that the truck park and auto zone initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Public Works, aimed at ensuring safer, more organised, and better-planned communities.
“We’re playing our role as part of that collaboration to develop communities in a more structured and sustainable way,” he said.
In fact, Croal underscored that the leasing of truck parks and auto zones will allow operators to continue earning a livelihood while reducing congestion, environmental hazards, and safety risks in residential areas, ultimately contributing to improved living conditions across the country.