THE POLICE have advised that there will be several traffic changes in and around Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, today to facilitate a civic ceremony at Mandela Park for President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who is on a three-day visit to Jamaica.
As a result, the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
Hope Road between Half-Way Tree Square and Winchester Road.
South Odeon Avenue between Eastwood Park Road and Constant Spring Road.
Derrymore Road between Eastwood Park Road and Constant Spring Road.
Constant Spring Road between South Avenue and Half-Way Tree Square.
The police say no vehicular traffic will be allowed on Suthermere Road and on Spencer James Drive during the period of the road closure.
Motorists who usually travel easterly along Molynes Road will be redirected to travel northerly along Eastwood Park Road on to Red Hills Road, then on to Constant Spring Road.
Those wishing to proceed southerly along Constant Spring Road will be redirected to turn left on to West Kings House Road or left on to South Avenue.
WINCHESTER ROAD DETOUR
Motorists who would otherwise have travelled westerly along Hope Road will be diverted on to Winchester Road and or Surbiton Road.
Those wishing to travel northerly along Winchester Road will be diverted easterly along Hope Road or on to Surbiton Road.
The arrangements will also affect public passenger buses.
Buses, which terminate on Hope Road near the Clock Tower Plaza and at Spencer James Drive, will have to travel southerly along Ruthven Road, westerly along Winchester Road and terminate along Hope Road at the bus stop north of Surbiton Road. Those which normally terminate at Mandela Park will have to do so at North Odeon Avenue.
The police have advised that motorists who are not conducting business in the Half-Way Tree area should seek alternative routes.
The police said also that today, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Fern Gully in St. Ann will be closed intermittently to vehicular traffic. This is to facilitate the smooth movement of heads of Government and their delegations who are to attend a special meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in Ocho Rios today.
The Fern Gully will also be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to midday. This closure is to facilitate the smooth movement of President Mbeki and his entourage. The alternative route will be via Breadnut Hill. The police will be at both ends of Fern Gully to direct motorists. The Police High Command is urging motorists to abide by the instructions of the police.
