COMMUNITY FOCUS: Project disrupting life in Cornwall Courts

An ongoing housing development in the Cornwall Courts Housing Scheme, St. James, is hurting everyday life in the growing community.

"At this time we are worried about the construction that is inconveniencing the school life of students, teachers and parents," said Elisea Ellis Spence, principal of Green Pong High School.

She told the WESTERN STAR that the nearby construction has been having an adverse impact on the institution since the start of the new school year.

"It a construction where they are putting in pipes for the new housing development and so they have cut the road and taken off the side walk completely," Ellis Spence said.

She said that with the road now narrowed to single lane, the area has become congested and taxi operators have refused to use it.

"Students are left down the bottom, where the work is taking place, to walk and still have to pay full fare. There are other times that staff members are in the line of traffic and end up being late," she added.

The principal said that she is particular concerned about those students who have walk through the ongoing construction daily.

"I am concern for their safety. They cannot walk on the road because of the small space that is there is only to facilitate traffic, so they have to walk through the development while the tractors are there working. It is a safety hazard," she said.

The nearby Green Pond Primary and Infant Schools is also affected by the development. Residents told the WESTERN STAR that the dust is a nuisance, and that sections of the community have flooded following heavy rainfall.

expressing concerns

When the WESTERN STAR contacted the developer, the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), Lorenzo Sandford, senior manger, said steps are being taken to address the myriad of issues raised by the residents.

"The agency has received, from community representatives, letters expressing concerns and we have moved to address the concerns," said Sandford.

"In addition, the contractors have assured us that they have taken the necessary steps, in terms of utilizing whatever mechanisms, to alleviate any issues such as using water to avoid the dust nuisance. However, in terms of timeline regarding the pipe laying, that is something we would have to get from our technical department that is in liaison with the contractors," he added.