‘Before the ministry does any experimental traffic plan they do studies in the area and studies are done to reduce traffic for the masses’ – Rohan Sinanan
By Prior Beharry
MINISTER of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan is working with a St Augustine nursing home to find a solution after an experimental scheme has made Austin Street one-way allowing entry from north to south.
He revealed this to AZP News in a telephone interview on Sunday after former health minister Dr Fuad Khan asked him in a voice note to reassess the decision to make Austin Street a one-way.
The St Augustine Private Hospital (SAPH) is located at the corner of Eastern Main Road and Austin Street.
Dr Khan, who has an office at SAPH, said an emergency patient in an ambulance was going to get horrors trying to get to the hospital.
He asked that the one-way be reversed to south to north and have Wilson Street next to it a one-way from north to south.
Dr Khan also asked if it was being done to facilitate a food and beverage business about to be opened on the opposite side of Austin Street to the nursing home.
But Sinanan said the plan was an experimental one and the Ministry of Works and Transport has been in consultation with the SAPH and told Dr Fuad Khan to speak to the management of the hospital.
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The minister said, “Before the ministry does any experimental traffic plan they do studies in the area and studies are done to reduce traffic for the masses.”
He added, “In St Augustine a study has been done as part of an experimental scheme to try to relieve the traffic in the area because that area is one that has several schools and traffic. It is a nightmare.”
Sinanan said that ambulances were allowed to go up a one-way street.
He said, “The concerns of the nursing home have been raised and it is being looked at and considered.
“However, Dr Khan should know, having served in government, that ambulances are allowed to go up a one-way in any part of Trinidad to access the hospital.”
He said, “So this does not stop an emergency patient in an ambulance from entering the street.
Asked if it would stop an emergency patient in a private car, Sinanan said, “We are looking at it, it is an experimental scheme ad conversations are being had with the nursing home to try to resolve the challenges. We have had discussions with them and we continue to have discussions with them.”
