OCHO RIOS, St Ann – In preparation for the festive season and the anticipated influx of people to the major townships, the St Ann municipality has made several adjustments to better facilitate a seamless experience for commuters.

Effective December 18, 2023 to January 3, 2024, vendors will not be permitted to ply their trade along Newlin Street and DaCosta Drive in Ocho Rios.

The announcement was made by mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Sydney Stewart during a press briefing at the municipal corporation’s chamber on Wednesday.

He said the move to restrict selling in these known vending hot spots will contribute significantly to a reduction in traffic snarls.

“Having heard the challenges that the police had last year, we decided to make the adjustment,” explained Stewart.

Vendors are being asked to use Market Street and its environs.

“If anyone is caught vending, they will be prosecuted,” Stewart warned.

The mayor also issued a warning to individuals who will be in Brown’s Town on Christmas Eve for the yearly Grand Market festivities. Vehicles will not be permitted to park along Main Street; motorists are being asked to use designated parking at Addison Park.

The fee is $200 hourly for parking and $1,000 for the entire day.

“If persons decide to park their cars along the road they will be clamped and only be released at a cost of $2,500. We have to make these changes because the volume of people in that area will be larger and we want to reduce the risks of motor vehicle accidents,” said Stewart.

He added that security personnel will also be deployed in the area.

“Arrangements will be made to make sure your property is protected,” the mayor assured. “Our responsibility is to ensure that we protect the public and my appeal to the public is that we operate in a responsible way.”

Chief executive officer of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, Jennifer Brown-Cunningham also urged individuals to take note of the changes.

“We are asking our citizens to plan their activities and in doing that know what routes are going to be closed and be one-way; so there is no frustration,” she said.