|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Oct 7, 2020 - 5:04:14 PM |
EASTERN CEMETERY LANE APPROVED TO RE-OPEN
After calling for the re-opening of Eastern Cemetery Lane for over ten (10) years, one resident can now breathe a sigh of relief. Cabinet recently approved the request to re-open the historical thoroughfare, a development that has been welcomed with open arms, Works Minister, the Hon. T. Desmond Bannister confirmed on Tuesday.
The Minister said East Cemetery Lane is a north-south public right of way between East Bay Street and Shirley Street located on the eastern boundary of the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.
“It is currently being used as an access to Scotia Trust, UBS Bahamas Ltd, and in the near future -- Doctor’s Hospital Nursing Facility (formerly the Red Carpet Inn) from the East Bay Street end, and UBS from the Shirley Street end” he said. “A fence was privately installed across the right of way prior to 2018 and in an effort to protect the Government’s interest, the Ministry of Public Works took steps to remove the fence, notify all business affected and clear the unpaved section of the right-of-way.”
Mr. Bannister added: “This north-south right-of-way had been identified for re-establishment as a paved road during the 1997 Downtown One-Way scheme in order to increase the number of connector roads between East Bay Street and Shirley Street. Construction and implementation of East Cemetery Lane as a one-way south bound road combined with the existing north bound Moseley Lane will create circulatory traffic flow and improve the road network in the area. The new link will provide an alternate south bound road for motorists to utilize rather than having to drive an additional half mile to Village Road to access Shirley Street to head in southerly or westerly direction.”
Bruce Raine, resident, said in 2008 he began campaigning for the road to be restored for its rightful purpose.
“I’ve always been interested in history and this road has been there from the 1800s, so we are talking about a road that is over 200-years-old. Here in Nassau there have been a number of 18th and 19th century burial sites. Christ Church Cathedral is the only documented evidence that identifies this ‘Eastern Cemetery’ as being the Agricultural Grounds formerly the Eastern Cemetery,” he said.
“What has now been renamed ‘Mosley Lane’, was and is, officially known as ‘West Cemetery Lane’. A now unidentified road, a little east of West Cemetery Lane, with two identified properties being Red Carpet Inn and UBS Bahamas Ltd, was and is, officially known as ‘East Cemetery Lane’.”
Mr. Raine noted the re-opening of this throughfare is going to be very convenient for all motorists.
“This is really for the Bahamian people and particularly the people in the East. I’m very pleased. People criticise the government all the time and it’s easy to do, but when the government performs we also have to thank them.”
“I’m very pleased and I find that Mr. Bannister is a totally different politician. He rolls up his sleeves and gets work done. I sent him an email and he replied to me directly. He was nothing but transparent with me. I really think Mr. Bannister is a wonderful person and he cares about the community.”
© Copyright 2020 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
