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Archive -Seychelles

Francis Rachel Street now a one-way road |05 February 2014

Move to help ease traffic congestion

Francis Rachel Street is now officially a one-way road, a move which forms part of a bigger plan that will be implemented in phases to ease traffic congestion in Victoria.

Officials from the Seychelles police traffic unit and traffic wardens from the Seychelles Land Transport Agency (SLTA) were at the Le Chantier roundabout yesterday to guide the heavy morning traffic as motorists tried to get to grips with the new traffic directions.

Traffic was flowing well coming from Bois de Rose and Mont Fleuri entering Victoria but some motorists seemed a bit confused as to which way to go because they were still used to the way things were before.

Most drivers used the 5th June Avenue which of course got jammed quickly and even with the road congested, motorists still insisted on using this part of the road to go towards town. They had to be stopped by the police and traffic wardens on many occasions and diverted onto Francis Rachel Street.

Standing by at the Le Chantier roundabout watching and analysing the situation was SLTA’s chief executive Parinda Herath and his officers.

“The intention of having Francis Rachel Street turned into a one-way road is that when motorists approach the roundabout and observe that traffic is congested on 5th June Avenue, they can drive straight onto the now two-lane Francis Rachel Street which is much faster to go to town centre,” Mr Herath said.

The one-way road was supposed to have been operational since Saturday February 1 but Mr Herath said that heavy rains for the past three days have delayed the completion of some maintenance work, signs and markings.

“Now work is 90% completed and all major signs and markings are clearly in place. Motorists should not be confused. It’s very easy to follow. They should observe the flow of traffic, the signs, markings and also give their full support to the officers handling the traffic so that everything runs well,” he said.
 
He noted that even if Francis Rachel Street is now unidirectional with two lanes going to the town centre the majority of drivers are still using the usual left lane instead of both.

Explaining how the new arrangements can help ease congestion, Mr Herath said instead of using the 5th June Avenue, motorists coming from the south and driving to places in the north like Beau Vallon can use the left lane on Francis Rachel Street onto Revolution Avenue and others going to places like North East Point and Anse Etoile can continue onto Quincy Street and Palm Street to connect with 5th June Avenue. Others can use the right lane, make a turn around the Clock Tower onto Independence Avenue and connect with 5th June Avenue at the Bicentenary Monument roundabout.

Motorists coming from the north going out of Victoria towards south can access 5th June Avenue through Palm Street and Independence Avenue.

Mr Herath said in general he was satisfied with how the traffic situation was in most areas he visited in town yesterday morning, especially at the Le Chantier area but noted that they are still evaluating the situation to see the real impact, something which he said will take some time.

He noted that traffic going out of Victoria flows very well and the additional lane running next to the Marine Charter has improved the situation.

He also informed and encouraged motorists driving heavy vehicles (three tonnes and above) to use 5th June Avenue when driving towards town.
 
Although a bit confused at first, most motorists circulating in Victoria by late afternoon seemed to have adapted well to the new changes in traffic flow.

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