Government has plans for a better Road Town

"The BVI cannot operate as a major business centre if our capital is in disarray," Chief Minister Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith said at a press conference on Tuesday 16 November. The Chief Minister said  that he was very pleased to announce the Executive Council's decision to establish the position of City Manager for Road Town as a step towards the establishment of a Town Council. Dr. Smith pointed out that since Road Town is now a bustling, vibrant city and a thriving centre of finance, commerce and tourism, major challenges have come into play, including traffic congestion, parking, sanitation, noise, crowd control and many other issues.

The Executive Council also renamed the Wickhams Cay Development Authority which will be now known as the Road Town Development Authority. The City Manager will be appointed by the Government and will be tasked with laying the groundwork for the formation of a Town Council. His first task will be to present and develop a vision of our Capital City, one that must reflect the beauty of our islands, provide recreation, enjoyment and allow for productive work of our industries. After this vision is presented, the City Manager will be called upon to begin putting his plans into action. It will be the Manager's responsibility to ensure that the parks in the urban area are clean and maintained and basic amenities for residents and visitors are provided and streets and neighborhoods are kept clean.

The city manager will also help to enforce such laws as the Litter Abatement Act, the Noise Pollution Act and the Road Traffic Act.

The Chief Minister conceded that the establishment of a Town Council will require a longer legislative process and that time will be needed to review applicable models from around the world and to decide how best to constitute such an entity.

“However, the challenges facing Road Town cannot wait for the conclusion of our deliberations. And so we have moved forward with this first step –– fully aware that work must still be done to create a permanent body that will be the governing authority for our capital,” said Dr. Smith.

“We will build here in Road Town a capital that shows who we are as a Territory that is moving forward – growing, developing and prospering – while never forgetting the traditional core values of faith, family and unity that bind us all together,” added the Chief Minister.

Government’s aim is to ensure that Road Town emerges as a world-class capital, reflecting rich human diversity, pedestrian friendly facilities and efficient transport systems, while at the same time, retaining its culture and heritage and contributing to the social and economic well being of the people of the Territory.