‘I am very sad, angry and disappointed’

October 06, 2020

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Disappointed that the National Works Agency (NWA) has been taking them for granted by failing to fix their defective bridge, residents in 2018 took matters into their own hands and did the repairs themselves.

After years of neglect from the state, the Cod Pen bridge in Llandewey, St Thomas is no longer accessible by vehicular traffic.

Ode Shepherd is gutted. He feels betrayed. Two years ago he took money out of his pocket and organised residents of Llandewey, St Thomas, to effect temporary repair to a bridge in the community that was a threat to life and property.

"I expected it would buy time for the government to get the necessary approval to get it fixed properly," Shepherd told THE STAR yesterday.

A gaping hole had emerged in the floor of the single-lane bridge, making it difficult for vehicles to use it. At the time, the National Works Agency (NWA) said the Cod Pen bridge, which links the communities of Llandewey, Ramble and Cedar Valley was defective and was being restricted to use by small vehicles only.

The agency said it would temporarily repair the bridge's damaged deck with a metal deck, noting that the work is being treated as an emergency.

The NWA has, however, shelved plans to effect temporary repairs to the bridge and did not carry through on its promise to create an alternative route for vehicles to use.

"I feel disappointed and frustrated with the lack of care given to my district," said Shepherd, who lives in the USA, but maintains close ties with his community. "I am very sad, angry and disappointed."

Funding became available

The NWA, in its 2018 annual report, said the estimates to construct a new triple cell box culvert were being undertaken with a view to implement the works as soon as funding became available.

Edwin Marr, councillor of the Llandewey Division, said that the bridge is among many others in the area that need urgent attention.

"They have been constructed from in the early 40s and all need repairs. This one has now collapsed and people have to be driving through one of the darkest spots ever to reach home. It is unbearable and we are begging that the authorities understand how urgent this is," he said.

Meanwhile, James Robertson, the Member of Parliament for Western St Thomas, said that he has been lobbying for the bridge to be fixed for a very long time.

He said that the NWA has given its commitment to create a temporary route while they work on replacing the collapsed structure.