HUNDREDS braved the inclement weather to again register their objection to the ‘burdensome’ metered parking in Georgetown, in front City Hall on Wednesday.The protests led by the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) has for weeks now been calling for a review of the project by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Central Government.

Central Government had requested that the Council reduce the parking rate from some $200 per hour by 50 per cent.

During that period of consultations for new fees, the project was put on hold, allowing vehicles to be parked without having to pay.

Meanwhile, two court orders were filed against City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, Town Clerk, Royston King and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, requesting them to show reasons why the project should not be scrapped.

The court has not yet ruled on the matter but Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green declared last Thursday that “as of Monday next (this Monday), we will resume implementation of the parking meter project”, contending that “There is not an injunction that stops us from operating.”

Prominent businessman, Roshan Khan on Wednesday, who was on the protest line, described the Council’s move as “disrespectful”, alleging that it has no regard for the law.

Others who were there also vented their dissatisfaction with metered parking.
“This is not good for the country and the parking meter is crippling the economy… it is crippling businesses and it is not good and we all should stand up and say we are not ready for it because the country is not developed,” one Regent Street businessman, who asked not to be named, said.