Government has moved in to tackle the often chaotic and unregulated vehicle parking in Honiara.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) is taking action following concerns expressed by the country’s peak business body, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), about the issue.
“Our team has been actively working on implementing measures to curb unregulated roadside parking in Honiara,” a statement from MID said.
“As part of the new Land and Maritime Connectivity Project’s (LMCP) road design, we have raised road-side kerbs at key locations, including the Central Market bus stop, to discourage vehicles from parking on the roadside,” the statement added.
“This physical barrier is designed to improve traffic flow and enhance road safety.”
Unplanned and unregulated parking, especially in central Honiara, often contributed to long queues in the city, slowing down traffic, and adversely affecting businesses.
MID, which is responsible for roads in the city, said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also providing technical assistance to develop an urban transport management system for Honiara.
“This project includes a comprehensive review of bus operations and parking management within the city,” it added.
“Important stakeholders like Honiara City Council, G Province, Police, were part of this cooperation in addressing some of these issues highlighted.
“Our goal is to create a safer and more efficient urban transportation system for all residents.
“We believe that this initiative will result in the development of a comprehensive policy framework that will address parking regulations and bus operations throughout the city.
“We anticipate that the completion of this project will provide a sustainable solution for regulating parking and optimizing bus services.”
Meanwhile, major roads to Honiara’s residential areas continue to suffer from neglect and lack of repair.
Most of these were dirt roads built some 30 to 40 years ago. Inconsistent and lack of repair work has seen the roads covered and littered with potholes.
