Marlon Vickerman, Features Writer

The KSAC has ordered vendors along Clifton Boulevard, near Cassava Piece, St Andrew, to relocate to the Constant Spring Market at the end of March. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has given vendors operating along the Clifton Boulevard and Manor Park areas of St Andrew five weeks to relocate to the renovated Constant Spring Market.

During a tour of the area on Saturday, Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie said illegal vending would no longer be tolerated.

McKenzie said close to $3.5 million had been spent to renovate the Constant Spring Market and vendors should relocate to the premises by March 31.

The mayor said there should be a visible change in the aesthetics of Constant Spring and surrounding areas in another eight weeks. He also sought to assure the public that the KSAC was working along with the National Works Agency, Jamaica Urban Transit Company and other organisations to improve traffic flow.

Grants pen changes

On his stop in Grants Pen, McKenzie noted: "Grants Pen poses a challenge. It is not a vending area but people have been vending here, some for over 30 years. We recognise that and we have to give that some level of consideration. We are going to be holding discussions with a number of locations, especially the (former) gas station, to see if we can go into some long-term agreements with them to relocating the vendors to that location."

In the interim, travelling east along Grants Pen Road, vending will be relocated to the right-hand sidewalks where it will not hamper pedestrian movement.

He continued: "What we are doing is trying to bring some semblance of order in areas where vending is taking place ... . The programme is not to dislocate persons."

Cooperation with council

Dunstan Whittingham, general secretary of Jamaica Vendors, Higglers and Markets Association, who was also present during the tour, said his organisation was pleased with the proceedings.

He added that the vendor group would be "working in alliance with the KSAC to get the system regularised and protect the interest and safety of the vendors and their clientele".

marlon.vickerman@gleanerjm.com