The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller said major roadside garages on Joe Farrington Road, Soldier Road, and Augusta Street have agreed to relocate to the Gladstone Road area.

During his mid-year budget contribution in the House of Assembly, he said funding for the relocation initiative is included in the current budget.

Works Minister Clay Sweeting told The Tribune last week that the government has secured Crown Land for the move to regulate businesses operating in residential areas. He said an inter-ministerial committee is working with business owners to develop a structured relocation plan, prioritising the largest operations.

Mr Miller also addressed the issue of derelict vehicles, saying their rapid reappearance after clean-up efforts has contributed to the spread of roadside garages.

“It is unbelievable the issue of derelict vehicles and where they are coming from because we will clean up an area today, and two or three days later, derelict vehicles are back again, and this has contributed to the proliferation of roadside garages,” Mr Miller said.

Some roadside garage operators previously interviewed by The Tribune expressed mixed reactions. While some were open to relocation, others remained sceptical about whether the Davis administration would follow through.