Poindexter Road closure explained – likely to be permanent

(CMR) Over the past two days, the closure of Poindexter Rd. in Prospect has caused outrage on social media among some morning commuters.

Cayman Marl Road has received numerous complaints that the police have decided to close off a public road without due process. Yesterday morning the RCIPS had 1 officer posted at the road and was diverting traffic and apparently today there were up to 4 police cars there.

After some investigation, we have now been able to confirm that the closure was requested by the Premier The Honourable Alden McLaughlin (Red Bay) and MLA Austin Harris (Prospect). When contacted Harris explained why it was necessary to implement this change:

East-West arterial Road users have been using Poindexter Road to bypass traffic in the morning and so doing have created difficulties with further traffic delays for residents of Prospect and Red Bay. As such, it was requested that the police restrict traffic Monday – Friday on Poindexter Road between 7a-9am. Only residents of Prospect and Red Bay will be allowed access during this time, during weekday mornings.

Poindexter Road sits on the electoral border of both Red Bay and Prospect and so this collaborative effort between the two representatives who have indicated it equally impacts residents in both districts.

From all accounts, persons use that road to attempt to work around the morning traffic coming from the Eastern districts. A Facebook poster vented:

So someone please tell me when it became illegal to turn onto Poindexter Road in the morning. Yesterday one police car and today two. So what happens to parents with children going to Prospect Primary school? Do they have to stop and prove themselves??

Perhaps they are best policing the school zones where cars are speeding through when they should be going 15mph, the zone by Clifton Hunter High School is a prime example, lots of revenue to be collected in speeding fines there when that flashing light is on in the mornings!