DUST, potholes and traffic diversions. This is what residents of Sayes Court, Christ Church, and connecting roads have to contend with because of unfinished roadworks.
The residents, like their frustrated counterparts in St Martins, St Philip, are demanding to know when the Ministry of Transport and?Works will have the project, which was contracted to Rayside Construction Company completed.
Construction began on the long stretch of road on January 1 last year but to everyone’s dismay, Rayside pulled out its equipment in October, leaving the road unpaved and unfinished.
Route taxi driver Sean Ward, who also lives in the area, said while an alternative route was provided for public services vehicles while the road was excavated, many were still forced to use the road because they had passengers to drop off.
“Within the last three months I have changed tyres and bushings so often,” he complained, as he cautiously drove the van trying to avoid the many potholes.
Popular fruit vendor William, who still operates his fruit stall every day by the roadside, lamented that his customers had declined significantly.
“I?am losing out on sales because everybody is trying to avoid using this road, but I still have my wife and children to support,” the young man said as he constantly washed off his fruits with water because of the overwhelming dust.
So upset was Lorenzo Harewood, of Opal Road, that he dispatched a letter to the ministry last week, complaining about the deteriorating road.
“The numerous traffic diversions have become a burden on the resident and non-resident commuters,” he wrote.
“Taking alternate routes results in longer journeys and additional expense for gas. Those who have no other alternative but to travel on the road have been doing so sluggishly for the past year to minimize the damage caused to their vehicles,”?he said, adding that residents were experiencing respiratory problems and other health-related illnesses because of the high level of dust in the area.
“Various small businesses have been noticeably impacted by the reduction of traffic flow through the area, and this economic dilemma does not go down well with Government’s objective in promoting small business development and entrepreneurship,”?he added, as he called on the ministry to inform residents the reason for the lengthy delay in completing the road and more importantly, when it would be finished.
Lydia Brathwaite also expressed concern about the state of the road in a letter to this newspaper.
Pointing out that construction began in January 2013, she noted: “It is now December 2013, approximately 12 months later, and the outcomes from this project have been minimal. Yes, it is wonderful that pedestrians are safely strolling down the side streets of the newly-built sidewalks, but privately and publicly owned vehicles journeying this route have been left to contend with one rocky, bumpy, dusty mess . . . . Just in the words of Red Plastic Bag’s hit song, Holes dey, holes hey, holes almost every whey.”
Continuing, she questioned why the project was commenced without allocating the necessary funds to complete it.
Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley will be touring Sayes Court and St Martins today. As a result, when contacted yesterday, a spokesman at Rayside Company said the minister would address the matter.
