Rda Promises More Trees In DeCastro Upgrade
The Recovery and Development Agency has assured the public that the upcoming DeCastro Street redevelopment will feature more greenery and trees than currently exist. Officials explained that 20 new salt-tolerant trees will replace the 17 existing ones to resolve sidewalk and utility damage. The agency highlighted that the new trees will stand at least 11 feet tall to restore pedestrian shade quickly.
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has assured the public that DeCastro Street will see an overall increase in greenery following its planned redevelopment, responding directly to community concerns regarding the removal of mature trees along the busy Road Town corridor. Addressing public pushback during a recent project briefing, RDA Project Planning Manager Jeremy Hodge explained that approximately 17 mature trees currently line the street.
Under the revitalisation plan, the agency will replace them with 20 new trees alongside an assortment of shrubs and smaller decorative plants to enhance the urban landscape. Hodge sought to ease worries that the popular pedestrian shade in the capital would be lost permanently. He noted that the newly planted trees are expected to arrive at heights of 11 feet or taller, allowing them to provide adequate canopy coverage and shade for pedestrians within a relatively short timeframe.
The decision to remove the existing trees has been a focal point of debate among residents who wanted the mature greenery preserved within the new design. However, the RDA highlighted that the current root systems have caused extensive structural damage to sidewalks, creating significant safety hazards and accessibility challenges for pedestrians and wheelchair users.
Hodge stated that the decision to remove the existing vegetation was carefully considered rather than impulsive. He emphasized that the narrow street corridor carries dense underground infrastructure, including vital water and sewerage lines, as well as adjacent parking bays and traffic lanes, leaving insufficient space for aggressive root networks to expand without damaging public utilities.
Moving forward, the RDA is applying lessons learned from past landscaping initiatives by selecting species better suited to the harsh, saline coastal environment of Road Town while featuring non-destructive root profiles. The broader DeCastro Street project aims to modernize walkways, improve pedestrian safety, and revitalize the overall aesthetic appeal of the territory's commercial hub.
Primary source: BVI News