Pedestrians?walking along Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael, have been complaining about the crumbling retaining wall around the once official residence of the Anglican bishop.
The wall is cracked in several places and dislodged stones have been falling onto the street creating fear among passersby that it could collapse at any time.
Reports indicate that several pedestrians have voiced concern to the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW).
The most recent incident occurred this week when a woman complained that stones fell on her as she was walking by the wall.
A source at MTW?pointed out that the wall was the property of the Anglican Diocese and that two years ago, the Ministry’s engineers assessed it following numerous complaints and it was determined to be unsafe.
The Ministry subsequently wrote the Diocese indicating that the wall should be removed and that it assist by closing the busy road.
Archdeacon Eric Lynch said yesterday the Diocese was very aware of the situation and that the matter was being handled by the trustees who manage all of the church’s properties.
He said church officials had a site meeting with Government representatives.
“We brought in engineers and we were given a cost [$200 000] and told what we had to do in relation to the wall,” he added.
“We understand Government has intentions of widening the road and that was part of the reason that we had the site meeting, so that we could work with Government when this exercise was being undertaken,” he said.
In relation to the unoccupied bishop’s residence which in the past was rented to Government and private entities, the archdeacon said it was slated for development and the church was looking for partners to undertake this project.
He, however, lamented that unknown drivers had struck the pillars on two occasions knocking them down and partially destroying the wall on that side.
Lynch assured the public that the church was not “ducking from its responsibility” in relation to the wall.
