Visiting cruise ship passengers are expressing concern about the lack of pedestrian facilities as they exit the new Royal Watler Terminal in George Town in Grand Cayman.

On possibly the busiest day of the year so far, with seven cruise ships in the George Town Harbour, visitors were struggling through heavy traffic on Harbour Drive to reach the shopping centre.

Wheelchair users and people who have difficulty walking had major problems, finding themselves forced to negotiate not only the traffic, but also high kerbs and unmade surfaces.

One passenger from the USA said it appears no provision had been made to provide safe access from the terminal into the town.

“Where I come from you would not be allowed to build something like this without ensuring there was safe access in and out,” one cruise passenger said.

Others said they were worried that the many elderly passengers were being put at risk. “There should be a proper crossing and cops on duty to make sure we can get across safely,” one person said.

When a Cayman Net News reporter visited the area around midday, just one police officer was on duty outside the South Terminal where there are clearly marked pedestrian crossings.

One parent with two small children in a stroller was heard shouting at local drivers to give people room to cross.

His complaint was that they could see the lights at Fort Street were red but still insisted on pushing through the crowds trying get into the town.

“They can only go a few more yards so why do they not stop to let us across,” someone else said.

In addition, local motorists themselves have problems with buses and taxis using Harbour Drive as a pick up point. One delivery driver said that, by parking in the left-hand lane outside the terminal, tour operators in particular were reducing traffic flow to a standstill.

In response, the section of road has been coned off but this just seems to be causing more difficulties for visitors.

The alternative site, outside the terminal shops, involves negotiating the Fort George memorial and climbing a very high kerb.

As a result, some drivers are either ignoring the cones or using Fort George as a pick up point. Again, no police were visible enforcing parking restrictions.

The Royal Watler Terminal is the responsibility of the Port Authority. Their Head of Security, Joseph Woods, confirmed that the terminal itself fully complies with the planning requirements for disabled access and no cruise passengers voiced any complaints about facilities inside the dock area.

However, he said that the issue of pedestrian access outside the terminal was a problem for the National Roads Authority (NRA).

At the time of going to press, the NRA has not responded to messages left by Cayman Net News asking for their comments.

(CaymanNetNews)

As usual, pass the buck...it's not our job! LOL Guess that's a universal response.