The Tribune

MOTORISTS across New Providence are being warned to expect three days of traffic disruptions beginning tomorrow as police implement widespread road closures and diversions for the official visit of King Charles III to The Bahamas.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced today that restrictions will affect major routes between Lynden Pindling International Airport, Paradise Island and downtown Nassau, beginning as early as 2pm for a youth rally at Clifford Park.

Additional closures will take effect from 4.20pm to facilitate the movement of the royal convoy from the airport to Paradise Island, while further restrictions are scheduled between 5pm and 7pm.

Police said road closures and traffic restrictions will also be implemented on Wednesday and Thursday, with details to be announced in subsequent releases.

Tomorrow's restrictions will begin at 2pm, when West Bay Street between Nassau Street and Chippingham Road will be closed for the youth rally at Clifford Park. Marcus Bethel Way, between West Bay Street and Infant View Road, along with Gibbs Lane, Dean Lane and access points to Arawak Cay, will also be affected.

Eastbound traffic on West Bay Street will be diverted south onto Chippingham Road, while westbound motorists will be directed south onto Nassau Street. The restrictions will remain in place until the conclusion of the celebration.

Police have also imposed no-parking restrictions from midnight tomorrow until the event concludes.

The restrictions apply to both sides of West Bay Street between Marlborough Street and The Pointe, West Bay Street between Nassau Street and St Albans Drive, Marcus Bethel Way, Infant View Road, Chippingham Road and Nassau Street between Bay Street and South Street.

Motorists have been advised to remove their vehicles from the affected areas before the restrictions take effect.

Beginning at 4.20pm, police will temporarily close dozens of intersections along the royal convoy's route from Lynden Pindling International Airport to Paradise Island.

Affected routes include Windsor Field Road, John F Kennedy Drive, Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, New Providence Highway, West Bay Street, Bay Street and Paradise Island Drive.

Major intersections affected include the Windsor Field Road roundabout, JFK Drive and Blake Road, the Westridge roundabout, the Baha Mar Boulevard roundabout, the Ministry of Works six-legged roundabout and the West Bay Street roundabout near Saunders Beach.

Closures will also affect West Bay Street intersections from Ferguson Road and St Albans Drive through Arawak Cay, Fort Charlotte, Nassau Street and Marlborough Street.

Downtown intersections along Bay Street, including George Street, Market Street, Frederick Street, Charlotte Street, Parliament Street, Bank Lane and East Street, will also be temporarily closed as the convoy passes.

Between 5pm and 7pm, additional closures will affect Paradise Island Drive, Shirley Street, Duke Street, Cumberland Street, Marlborough Street, West Bay Street and Bay Street.

Along Shirley Street, restrictions will affect intersections stretching from Mackey Street through the downtown area, including Church Street, Collins Avenue, East Street, Parliament Street, Charlotte Street and Frederick Street.

Police said the closures are intended to ensure the safe and orderly movement of the royal convoy between designated locations.

Designated parking areas for authorised attendees of the Clifford Park celebration include the Road Traffic Department for VIP parking, Western Esplanade, Fort Charlotte, Xavier's School, the International School of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology parking lot on Dean Lane, and the western side of Clifford Park.

Motorists are being encouraged to plan alternative routes and allow additional travel time, while residents and businesses in affected areas have been urged to make arrangements to minimise disruption.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force also appealed for cooperation with officers managing traffic throughout the royal visit.