General powers as to streets, etc

(1) All streets, in which term is included public drains and bridges within the boundaries of Belize City, shall be under the control, care and management of the Council. (2) The Council is empowered in respect of any street to do any of the following things– (a) to lay out, construct, repair, alter or widen all streets with such material and in such manner as the Council thinks fit; (b) to make surveys for the laying out of new (c) to determine what part of a street shall be a carriage-way and what part a foot-way only; (d) to alter the level of any street; (e) to stop temporarily the traffic on any street or part thereof while such street is being constructed or repaired; (f) to plant trees in any street in Belize City and erect tree guards to protect the same; (g) to provide for the naming, numbering and lighting of places and streets; and 26 (h) to sell the surplus spoil of streets. (3) The Council shall exercise the power to make any new street or divert or widen or diminish the width or alter the level of any street only after inserting a notice to that effect in the Gazette at least four weeks previous to the date of the exercise of such power, inviting the residents of Belize City to make representations in writing to the Council in connection with the exercise of the power. The Council shall, before exercising the power, genuinely consider and take into account the representations, if any, made by the residents of Belize City, but shall not be obliged to follow them. (4) Subject to sub-section (6), the Council may by resolution declare that any existing street shall be closed, diverted or turned, and that some other shorter or more convenient course shall be substituted for any street so closed, diverted or turned as the public advantage may require. (5) Whenever it appears to the Council that having regard to the limited use made of any street, the closing thereof without the provision of any other course will not result in serious handicap, difficulty or inconvenience to the public, the Council may, subject to sub-section (6), by resolution, declare that the street be closed without ordering that any other street be substituted therefor. (6) Before proceeding to exercise the powers conferred upon it under sub-sections (4) and (5), the Council shall insert a notice in the Gazette at least four weeks previously to the exercise of the said powers, and shall in that notice invite the residents of Belize City to make written representations to it in connection with the proposed exercise of such powers. The Council shall, before exercising the powers, genuinely consider and take into account the representations, if any, made by the residents of Belize City, but shall not be obliged to follow them. (7) The Council shall, in addition to the powers specified in this section, enjoy such further additional powers in respect of 27 public roads and streets within Belize City as are conferred upon it by or under the Public Roads Act. CAP. 232. co-ordinate activities