‘Disasters waiting to happen’ - Broken bridges leave St Thomas residents uneasy

There is a common cry among residents living in communities along the Easington to Cedar Valley main road in St Thomas. The thoroughfare, which spans several rural districts, hosts some five or so bridges that, according to residents, are all disasters waiting to happen.

Among these are the Easington Bridge, which connects the Woodbourne and Easington communities; three bridges in Llandewey; and an old passage in Ramble that residents say 'is literally hanging by a thread'.

Expressing frustration with their countless concerns that seem to have fallen on deaf ears, they shared that there is not much to say or do but brace for the worst.

"I have been living in Woodbourne for the over 20 years and the bridge has always been in a terrible condition. It shakes when motorists drive over it and when pedestrians going across," said Noel Johnson, who insisted that the Easington Bridge needs to be replaced, as a facelift will not suffice.

Residents also spoke of major cracks in the structure, which they fear may give way at any time.

Their concerns echoed in the neighbouring communities of Llandewey and Ramble. Two bridges along the Llandewey main road have lost their guard rails, which are important in keeping road users within boundaries. Another of the structures, the Cod Pen Bridge, has a gaping hole in the floor, a situation that prompted the National Works Agency (NWA) to announce its closure and outline plans for its replacement. However, with no alternative route created, persons have had no choice but to continue using the bridge.

"A lot of people come and say they are going to fix it, and nothing," said Llandewey resident Garfield of the Cod Pen Bridge.

"The last time there was a hole so big, somebody drop through it. That was patched, but it wasn't the only concern. People can still fall; bicycle man can drop off; you have older people who may fall off in the night ... . It needs attention," he added.

Garfield, who owns and operates a quarry in the area, told THE STAR that his trucks are unable to traverse the main road because of the rotting structures.

"No heavy-duty vehicle can't drive on them. Neither fire truck or nothing. If we have fire in this community, a problem. The other bridges in the area are in the same condition. Dem nuh have no edge (rail), and people can fall off. No heavy equipment can't go over them," he said.

Revealing that he has used his own equipment to provide temporary fixes where necessary, the businessman admitted that the structures in the area are in desperate need of national attention.

An update from the NWA revealed that the residents may have some more waiting to do before their concerns are fully addressed. Stephen Shaw, the agency's communication manager, said that no rehabilitation work has been planned for the bridges in Easington and Llandewey at this time.

However, he said that the Shooting River Bridge in Ramble is to be replaced in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The bridge, which is comprised of a steel frame and wooden planks on the floor, regularly falls into disrepair.