The St. Ann Parish Council will be implementing a number of traffic changes in the major towns in the parish, to relieve congestion on the roads during the holiday season.

A release from the Parish Council stated that the towns to be affected are St. Ann's Bay, Brown's Town and Ocho Rios.

For St. Ann's Bay, the changes, which will take effect from 6:00 a.m. on December 22 until 8:00 a.m. on December 27, will see vehicles being diverted from Bravo Street left onto Park Avenue and then onto Main Street in the vicinity of the Esso Gas Station.

In addition, Bravo Street and Park Avenue will become one-way streets and directional signs will be erected to assist motorists as they proceed through the town. On Christmas Eve, by 5:00 p.m., Main Street will be blocked off to vehicular traffic from the intersection with Bravo Street up to Wharf Street.

Meanwhile, as at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22 to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, vehicles entering Brown's Town from the north coast will detour at the 'keep left' sign at the Cool Oasis Gas Station and continue in an easterly direction along Huntley Avenue.

Commuters will be given the option of turning onto St. Hilda's Drive where they can park on the right side of the street or go directly to the municipal car park. Commuters, who chose to continue onto Top Road, will be able to turn left to go to Alexandria or right on route to Brown's Town, Standfast or Trelawny.

Light vehicles destined for Standfast and Trelawny will make a left turn at South Avenue to Musgrave Square, while heavy duty and other traffic bound for the town centre will continue along Top Road.

Vehicular traffic from Trelawny, Brown's Town or Alexandria, destined for the north coast, will use the same route in the reverse direction. Signs will be posted strategically along the detour route to guide motorists, and police personnel will be present to assist with the monitoring of traffic, provide information as well as ensure the safety of the citizens.

While there will be no major changes for Ocho Rios, vehicles will not be allowed to turn right on exiting Rexo Plaza.

The Parish Council said that the changes are aimed at allowing traffic to flow smoothly throughout the major towns, so that citizens will be able to enjoy their Christmas in an orderly environment.

- JIS