Bad road scares residents

When a biker and his motorcycle recently ended up in a ditch along a section of the road in Middleton, St Andrew, residents said it was a regular occurrence.

They are now actively lobbying for the breakaway, which has been there since 2007, to be fixed with urgency.

"We are concerned because it is hurricane season, and anything is possible because of the terrain. We just need some action to be taken as soon as possible because this has been going on for a while," said Cavelle Miller. "We want to know if a wall or a bridge or something will be built to protect us because there have been several incidents where persons go over the precipice."

Miller, who has been living in the community for 27 years, told THE STAR that she is particularly concerned about the elderly and children.

"Persons can actually die from this. If it wasn't for the bushes holding up the vehicle when they fall over, it could be worse. I'm also very concerned about the elderly and the children because a school is right around the corner," she said. "A relative of mine went over last month when she was driving in from work. She got head injuries and a few bruises on her arms but nothing major."

Totally destroyed

Miller said that when Hurricane Dean struck in 2007, the roadway was totally destroyed, and it was residents who restored it.

"We need it for vehicles to move back and forth because the community was totally cut off. We need it because otherwise, we can't leave the community, and persons have to go to work in Kingston and all other business that we need take care of," she said. "We just need some highlight on the community because there is no proper development or infrastructure in place."

Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew Juliet Holness told THE STAR that plans had already been established to build a new roadway.

"We have already called in the National Works Agency, and they have gone in and done an estimate. There is a property to the right owned by NWC (National Water Commission), and we are looking to cut into that property to widen the road and make it possible for them to use it again," she said. "It is just for us to get the funding now going into the new term because the estimate was done very close to the end of my last term."

Holness said a caution sign had been erected but another one needs to be placed.

"So if somebody is coming, they will know they shouldn't ride in the bushes because once the bushes are there, persons can't see that they are on the edge," she said.