NA Mayor concerned about traffic hazard as trucks park on road shoulders

New Amsterdam’s Mayor Wainwright McIntosh has expressed concern over the persistent use of a section of Republic Road as a parking area for heavy-duty machinery, while creating a traffic hazard.
Many vehicle operators have taken to social media, expressing concern over the danger posed by the parked trucks and machinery.
The trucks are often parked on Republic Road between LFS Burnham and King Streets. However, all around the county, and even the country, this practice takes place.
Regarding the situation on Republic Road, vehicle operators coming out of Vryman’s Erven complain that they cannot see oncoming traffic without first driving on to the carriageway of Republic Road.
Some have expressed concerns, saying that motorcyclists frequently pass at top speed, and if the trucks are allowed to be parked there continually, there will be a serious collision.

Mayor McIntosh says the trucks pose a danger to public safety in a bustling commuter zone. He noted several incidents of concern raised by citizens, including a viral social media post, and previous attempts by the municipality to engage owners of the vehicles.
Mayor McIntosh says too that the situation is a dangerous one.
“While we would have noted that one truck at 54 Stanleytown, there was another video highlighting these encumbrances with the trucks. I can recall during the 4th council, we would have written to the owners of these trucks, highlighting the traffic dangers. Through the road safety council, we would have highlighted the dangers these trucks would have posed being parked along the road shoulders. As we speak, vehicles coming out from the Vryman’s Erven area…these trucks are posing great difficulties to persons commuting. We would have written several times to these individuals [and] we made contact with the traffic department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), precisely in New Amsterdam,” the Mayor told the media.
One such individual the Mayor has sent notices to is Marvin Cameroon of King Street. In fact, in 2022, the-then Mayor Winifred Haywood raised the issue with Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud, who visited the town hall.
The Minister advised that letters be sent to the owner, and when he was told that this was done, the Minister advised that the council take the owner to court.
Mayor, McIntosh says he will be re-engaging the police commander with the hope that the issue can be addressed collaboratively.
He noted that there is an urgent need for action, citing the proximity of two schools in the affected area. He added that it is a disappointing situation, as the number of trucks parked at that location keeps increasing.
He called it a blatant disrespect to the Mayor and Town Council.
“We would have engaged the traffic department, we would have engaged the owners of these vehicles but to-date these persons are operating as if they are bigger than the law. Now is time for further action. We will re-engage the owners of their machinery here and further actions will he taken,” he declared.
Late last year, the Government announced that it will be developing parking facilities countrywide for these trucks and heavy-duty machinery.
“The necessary steps will be taken to ensure these encumbrances are removed to ensure the safety of our commuters,” Mayor McIntosh assured.
The Mayor’s remarks highlight the ongoing efforts of the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council to improve road safety, and ensure that local roads remain clear and safe for all commuters.