Police, MoPW working to ease market traffic in Ruimveldt

Efforts to address congestion around the busy Sunday market in Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were highlighted during the televised programme “Road Safety and You”, where traffic officials outlined measures being implemented to restore order and improve traffic flow. Speaking on the programme hosted by Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Earl Lambert, Inspector Marvin Forde, who is attached to the East La Penitence Police Station’s Traffic Department and oversees traffic operations within Ruimveldt, Georgetown and parts of the East Bank Demerara (EBD), detailed the steps being taken in the market area.
“Well, the market at Ruimveldt, that area there, we normally have cut off and have one-way traffic; that would be northbound traffic alone along the La Penitence public road,” Forde explained. The one-way system is intended to prevent gridlock during peak market hours. However, he noted that roadway encroachment by vendors has contributed to congestion. “But we are presently working along with Public Works to get the road remarked because they find that the vendors are coming more out to the road,” he said. “So, you’re getting narrow traffic instead of more to the corner road.”

Forde indicated that the narrowing of the carriageway has slowed vehicular movement and increased pressure on traffic ranks managing the area. To address this, Police are collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) to have the road properly remarked and to restore clear boundaries between vending spaces and the roadway.
“So, we’re working in collaboration with them to get the road remarked, and also we do some sensitising with the vendors there so they know how to use the road when they finish and move the obstruction, and so Monday morning, you’re able to get full access regarding the use of the road there,” he stated. He further explained that officers are strategically positioned at key junctions to manually regulate traffic when necessary. “So, at each intersection, at each junction, there’s a Police officer there, and we would relate with each other through a network,” he said.
“But okay, we’re pulling the north; the traffic that’s flowing north we would hold, and then we’ll accommodate the persons coming out of the crossing, just to get that heaviness to be pulled off, and you know, persons can get to go where they’re going in a timely manner.” The market attracts significant vehicular and pedestrian traffic, particularly on Sundays, and Police are urging vendors to avoid obstructing the roadway and motorists to comply with traffic directions to ensure smoother movement through the area. Authorities say monitoring and enforcement will continue as improvements are rolled out to reduce congestion in the busy corridor.