Ed Wehrli, Consul General at the United States Embassy, speaking during a Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston luncheon, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, yesterday. Emile Finlay, president of the club, looks on. - Photo by William Foster

United States Consul General, Ed Wehrli, says the embassy has no plans to provide free parking space for members of the public.

Mr. Wehrli was responding to concerns raised about parking, which has become problematic since the embassy moved to its Liguanea, St. Andrew, location last month.

"We do not provide free parking for the public, we did not at the old spot," he said at a Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston luncheon at the Hilton hotel, yesterday. "I don't know of any other major embassy or high commission that does provide free parking."

Enough parking spaces

According to Mr. Wehrli, there are enough commercial parking spaces in and around the Liguanea area for members of the public using the embassy.

"We know that there is ample commercial parking on Munroe Road and Old Hope Road," he stated.

Mr. Wehrli also pointed out that the embassy was in an accessible location for persons who used public transportation. He said there were a number of bus routes which served the area.

"So, the parking, as far as we can tell, is not really a problem because there is really lots of it in the neighbourhood," said the Consul General.