Seawall vendors face removal over permit violations

… “comply with the rules” – Edghill warns

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has issued an ultimatum to vendors operating along the Kingston Seawall, warning that continued breaches of their provisional permits could result in their removal from the area. Edghill convened an urgent meeting with vendors along the corridor, accompanied by Head of the Sea and River Defence Board Kevin Samad and technical staff from the Public Works Ministry. The meeting addressed several violations, including unauthorised subletting, vendors living inside their stalls, illegal electrical connections, excessive noise, unauthorised structural extensions and poor sanitation and maintenance. Edghill reminded vendors that their provisional approvals were granted subject to specific conditions, including restrictions on where they could operate. He also reiterated that “no vending” and “no noise” zones remain in effect along sections of the Kingston Seawall. According to the Minister, vending is not permitted from the Kitty Roundabout east to Sheriff Street or west to the 1823 Monument.
“I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody,” Edghill warned. He said vendors who are removed for breaching the rules should not expect to return to the area. A major concern raised during the meeting was the conversion of mobile vending carts into permanent structures and living quarters. Edghill instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to immediately remove vendors found to be residing at their vending locations. He said the original agreements require vendors to operate mobile units that are removed after vending hours. “Your paper says you are supposed to move at the end of vending. You are supposed to be on wheels, and when you are finished vending, you are supposed to tow your stuff and go back in,” the Minister said.

Unauthorised construction
He also pointed to the construction of concrete foundations and unauthorised extensions as further breaches of the arrangements. Edghill warned that the Government would not entertain future claims for compensation from persons who illegally occupy the seawall reserve. “We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start,” he said. Sanitation was also highlighted as a concern, with the Minister criticising the condition of sections of the corridor despite the placement of nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the seawall. He encouraged vendors to establish a committee to oversee cleanliness and maintenance, warning that continued failure to maintain the area could lead to permits being revoked. Ministry patrol teams will continue monitoring the corridor for compliance. The Ministry also stressed that maintaining the Kingston Seawall is important beyond its recreational and tourism use, as the structure forms part of the city’s coastal defence system. It said unauthorised concrete construction; improper disposal of waste and illegal utility connections could affect the integrity and drainage capacity of the seawall. Meanwhile, Edghill announced that infrastructure works to widen the road along the seawall are expected to begin shortly. Vendors have therefore been instructed to immediately correct their boundaries and adjust their operations to avoid obstructing the planned works.

ingston Seawall, warning that continued breaches of their provisional permits could result in their removal from the area.

Edghill convened an urgent meeting with vendors along the corridor, accompanied by Head of the Sea and River Defence Board Kevin Samad and technical staff from the Public Works Ministry.
The meeting addressed several violations, including unauthorised subletting, vendors living inside their stalls, illegal electrical connections, excessive noise, unauthorised structural extensions and poor sanitation and maintenance.
Edghill reminded vendors that their provisional approvals were granted subject to specific conditions, including restrictions on where they could operate.
He also reiterated that “no vending” and “no noise” zones remain in effect along sections of the Kingston Seawall. According to the Minister, vending is not permitted from the Kitty Roundabout east to Sheriff Street or west to the 1823 Monument.

“I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody,” Edghill warned.
He said vendors who are removed for breaching the rules should not expect to return to the area.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the conversion of mobile vending carts into permanent structures and living quarters.
Edghill instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to immediately remove vendors found to be residing at their vending locations.
He said the original agreements require vendors to operate mobile units that are removed after vending hours.
“Your paper says you are supposed to move at the end of vending. You are supposed to be on wheels, and when you are finished vending, you are supposed to tow your stuff and go back in,” the Minister said.

Unauthorized construction
He also pointed to the construction of concrete foundations and unauthorised extensions as further breaches of the arrangements.
Edghill warned that the Government would not entertain future claims for compensation from persons who illegally occupy the seawall reserve.
“We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start,” he said.
Sanitation was also highlighted as a concern, with the Minister criticising the condition of sections of the corridor despite the placement of nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the seawall.
He encouraged vendors to establish a committee to oversee cleanliness and maintenance, warning that continued failure to maintain the area could lead to permits being revoked.
Ministry patrol teams will continue monitoring the corridor for compliance.
The Ministry also stressed that maintaining the Kingston Seawall is important beyond its recreational and tourism use, as the structure forms part of the city’s coastal defence system.
It said unauthorised concrete construction; improper disposal of waste and illegal utility connections could affect the integrity and drainage capacity of the seawall.
Meanwhile, Edghill announced that infrastructure works to widen the road along the seawall are expected to begin shortly.
Vendors have therefore been instructed to immediately correct their boundaries and adjust their operations to avoid obstructing the planned works.