Tree Debate Shouldn't Stall Road Town Upgrades
Political commentator Cindy Rosan has argued that the controversy surrounding the removal of mature trees along DeCastro Street should not derail vital improvements in Road Town. While urging the government to be transparent and replace the trees responsibly, she stressed the urgent need for safe, accessible pedestrian infrastructure. Rosan emphasised that environmental preservation and capital development can successfully coexist.
Political commentator Cindy Rosan has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the DeCastro Street sidewalk improvement project, arguing that public concerns regarding tree removal must not derail long-awaited development in Road Town. Her remarks follow substantial community backlash over plans to remove several mature trees along the capital's busy thoroughfare as part of broader pedestrian infrastructure upgrades.
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) previously explained that the root systems of existing Mahogany, White Cedar, and Yellow Poui trees have extensively damaged the sidewalks and would interfere with reconstruction efforts. Addressing the public debate, Rosan stated that while she understands the deep attachment residents have to the mature trees, the territory must address the fundamental question of whether the existing greenery can coexist with safe and durable infrastructure over the coming decades.
She pointed out that residents have voiced dissatisfaction for years over the deteriorating condition and aesthetic appeal of Road Town, noting that the community must eventually transition from discussion to practical execution. At the same time, Rosan voiced support for greater government transparency, urging officials to make public any engineering or arboricultural assessments that concluded the trees could not remain.
She also stressed that authorities and the RDA must be held strictly accountable to their pledge of replanting suitable species that provide adequate shade and greenery without damaging future pavements. Rosan urged the public to focus on ensuring the finished project meets high standards of accessibility, particularly for elderly residents, wheelchair users, and parents with strollers.
She concluded that environmental responsibility and infrastructure development do not have to be opposing goals, maintaining that Road Town urgently requires safer pedestrian walkways and modernised public spaces.
Primary source: BVI News