Letter to the Editor

West Bay cruise ship ferry facilities are matter of concern

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

The proposed West Bay cruise ship tender/ferry facility is a matter which concerns the tourism industry in general (and West Bay in particular), and I thank this publication for allowing me to share some of my concerns (as a private citizen) on this project, which is proposed for the junction of Town Hall Road and North West Point Roads.

I also cherish the fact that we live in a democracy which affords citizens freedom of speech, a fundamental right for which I am prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

While I appreciate the observation of my Honourable friend that the issue of a cruise ship facility in West Bay has been promised by West Bay politicians from the 1980s, and I must commend him for not forgetting such promises… I feel that more important and beneficial ought to be the pursuit of projects and initiatives which are properly assessed, and which are needed, and enjoy public support.

While I too am in favour of spreading the economic benefits of tourism, as well as promoting sustainable development and commerce in West Bay, I nevertheless have a number of questions for the proponents of this project:

Where are the plans for this project? When and where can members of the public see the design and technical drawings and studies for the project?

What is the timing for the start and finish of the project?

What is the cost estimate for the project?

Have the adjacent land and homeowners been contacted, consulted, or agreed?

Will the coastal and land-based work be put to tender, or negotiated with select contractors?

What about the impact of the increased marine vessels traffic on nearby dive sites?

How long is the ferry journey from Hog Sty Bay in George Town expected to be? It is understood that high speed ferry(ies) will be used to transport cruise ship passengers (and others?); will Caymanians and West Bayers be given the opportunity to invest in and provide this service?

Those of us who know the proposed site can attest to the “spring tide” and choppy seas in that area for most of the year. What about the safety of cruise passengers who use the ferry to and from this proposed facility?

Has there been any economic impact assessment on the loss of business by West Bay taxis and tour operators?

Has there been any consideration for the impact on the scenic coastline in that area, from the introduction of more concrete structures to impede the existing panoramic view along the Seven Mile Beach?

Is there any sensitivity of the impact of uprooting or tormenting the residential homes in this tranquil area?

What is the plan to prevent the total gridlock of vehicular traffic out of West Bay in the morning, by commuters going to work, school buses, and others leaving the district for other reasons?

At present there is significant traffic congestion, and some days traffic is backed up along the Northwest Point Road as early at 7:15 am.

Can you imagine what will happen to the Northwest Point, Boatswain Bay, Birch Tree Hill, and Town Hall Road traffic if a tender/ferry facility is operational at the North West Point Road junction? Without a proper bypass road, it could be total paralysis.

These are but some of the questions and concerns which I have on this project, and I look forward to assisting towards a democratic and sensible solution to this project, fully recognising the positive and negative economic and societal impacts of the proposal.

The same people who are proposing this project seem to have a flirtation with unbridled growth accompanied by neglect for infrastructure to cope with this development.

For example, the Ritz-Carlton property is expected to open at the end of this year, however there is no definite timeframe for the “bypass” road that is Gazetted to be a part of that site.

At the same time, they are also promoting other large-scale developments, including the redevelopment of smaller condominiums and resorts into five to seven storey exclusive resorts, while not increasing the setback from the sea front or providing better “beach access” or providing a bus or taxi lane along the roadside.

To continue to recklessly attract foreign investment without any attention to the infrastructure, such as roadways, is not only a total disregard for commonsense… it is pure nonsense.

West Bayers and Caymanians should carefully study the proposed dock facility in West Bay, and well as the “carrying capacity” crisis now facing our infrastructure, and let your representatives (and candidates) know your views.

Mario E Ebanks

Back...

Click here for reader comments...