Police announce Carnival 2010 route

Motorists and music bands have been cautioned to strictly adhere to the Carnival route as ordered by Police Chief Hobbes Jno Baptiste.

At a police press conference this morning, Deputy Police Commissioner Cyril Carrette explained the route for Carnival Monday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Carnival Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bands are ordered to proceed southwards along Independence Street between Kennedy Avenue and King George V Street. Then, they are to move westwards along King George V Street between Independence Street and Hanover Street, northwards along Hanover Street between King George V Street and Kennedy Avenue. From there, they will proceed eastwards between Kennedy Avenue and Hanover Street onto Independence Street.

Vehicles not forming part of organized bands are prohibited from traveling along the carnival route. However, Carrette informed vehicle owners whose homes and businesses are affected by the designated carnival route to be careful when driving along it.

“Where it becomes necessary for residence and business persons affected by the Carnival route to drive across the route, every precaution must be taken to ensure that this is achieved by exercising a maximum degree of caution to
ensure the safety of persons who are expected to be on the said route,” he explained.

Motorists entering into town via the E.C Loblack Bridge up to Hillsborough Streets are also ordered to turn left on River Street and not to proceed any further.

“Traffic entering Roseau from the north on Independence Street as far as Hillsborough Street, and motorists intending to travel east or south of the city may use the stadium link road turn left on River Street,” Carrette noted.

The police have made arrangements for the Botanic Gardens Road to remain open up to 10 p.m. during carnival slated for February 15 and 16. As a result, Bath Road will not be used as a two-way street.

“Remember Bath Road used to be two lanes on carnival days. We are not going to use it as two lanes anymore. The only street which will remain two-way streets is the River Bank between the new market and Upper Lane and Church Street between Bay Street and Cross Street,” the deputy police commissioner added.

Revelers and music bands are expected to give access to emergency vehicles, and any other vehicle, necessitated to drive across the carnival route.

Any violation of traffic signs and the carnival order will result in prosecution.

“Persons who violate the laws on that day will be locked up and will not see the city of Roseau until Ash Wednesday when they will be taken before the Magistrates’ Court. We will be having a zero tolerance policy on law breakers during that day,” Carrette said.

He advised music bands to refrain from playing music from the Roseau Port up to the carnival route as is normally done. They are to drive up with no music and begin playing at the route.

No loud music will be permitted in the zones of the Portsmouth Hospital, the Fire Brigade Headquarters, the Police Headquarters and the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Meanwhile, Carrette reminded the public that the Carnival Order not only applies to Roseau, but to the entire country.