SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC on the coastal St James strip is about to be tackled.
Yesterday morning Member of Parliament for St James Central, George Hutson, said Government’s roadwork improvements included construction of an alternative to Highway 1, using Durants Village.
Hutson said that in relation to the West Coast Sewerage Project a road will be built from Holders Hill through Durants Village to Cave Hill.
He was, at the time, on a walk-through of his constituency as a lead-up to his report at this afternoon’s constituency conference at the Good Shepherd School, St James.
On tour with Hutson was Minister of Transport & Works John Boyce who said the road improvements which should take two years, would be done prior to the final design of the sewerage project.
“When we do these improvements, these would offer motorists the option, and this has to be done prior to the sewerage project.
“These improvements at Warrens which are on stream and should be running fairly soon, will also offer an option to using Highway 1.”
Hutson said for many years, sidewalks had been an issue in Fitts Village, and he was pleased that issue was being dealt with there as well as in lower Paynes Bay.
The first-time MP acknowledged that he was facing a challenge dealing with employment and housing, the two major issues facing residents.
“Housing is major especially for the younger folk, who want to have their own piece of the rock and every week when we have our constituency clinic, people are requesting homes.
“Jobs is an issue that is being raised at all levels and it is no different in this constituency.”Hutson said Government could not get jobs for everyone and to this end, his constituency had embarked on a programme where people are being taught arts and craft.
“We are working in a small way, trying to get some additional funds to expand the programme. We have had some discussion with community leaders throughout the constituency to see if we can get the programme spread into areas like Arch Hall where we have a lot of young people that need work,” he said.
St James Central embodies much of the West Coast and Hutson said beach erosion was an issue, but that he was happy the construction of the boardwalk at Holetown had done much to protect the seafront and businesses along the coastline.
Hutson knows much still has to be done.
“There is still a tremendous amount of work that has to be done in respect of the beach erosion a little further north by Settlers Beach Hotel.
“We need to address that and other issues,” he said. (MK)
