Torrington Park upbeat as work begins on broken structure

Excitement is in the air at the Torrington Park Housing Scheme in St Andrew as long-awaited renovations are finally under way.

Last November, a dilapidated staircase collapsed, injuring a senior citizen. The staircase, a looming hazard for years, was a source of concern for residents, particularly parents of young children. Work was paused during the holidays, but with construction again progress - starting with work on the pavement - many are breathing a sigh of relief. Shanique Salmon, 30, who has lived in Torrington Park her entire life, said that the children will have somewhere to play and won't have to be under the stairs directly.

"They told us from last year that the building would get fixed, so everybody was waiting to see it start. They've been inspecting the rooms, because a lot of people live here, and the houses have been leaking with water soaking in from the top. Everybody has been complaining, so now they're finally fixing everything," she said.

Salmon added, "You ever hear the saying, 'From Noah was a boy'? Well, the place never get paint yet, but it's going to paint now." Despite the long-standing issues, Salmon said she has never considered leaving.

"No matter where in the world I go, here is home. People are even looking for places here to live," she shared.

Neville Dixon, the contractor overseeing the project, explained that the pavement construction is just the first step in addressing the larger issues at Torrington Park.

"We've been doing assessments over a period of time, and there are still things to put in place to ensure the building is fixed to the best standard. The people here are definitely looking forward to the progression of their home being renovated. Working here, I've blended in with them and truly see their need for these changes," he said.

While most residents are optimistic, some remain sceptical. Meetings to discuss the building's deteriorating condition have been held since 2023, but delays in action have eroded trust. Some fear that this project, like others in nearby schemes, might stall after initial progress.

"The Government say a lot of things, but it's what they actually do that counts," one resident remarked. "We just hope this time them stick to the plan and finish what them start."