Residents make their way around potholes along Fairview Boulevard. The men working to the right appear to be mending the road surface. Unfortunately, however, they are instead mixing cement for building construction! - Photo by Ross Sheil
WHAT'S NOT WORKING
The community of Fairview Park in St. Catherine is in dire need of proper roads. It is not clear what they now have, as those thoroughfares in the community have long stopped being roads.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SITUATION
The roads in Fairview Park are among the worst I have seen, and I have viewed some really bad ones. Visitors entering this community do so at their peril. Driving through this community was akin to a horror movie. The roads, or what is left of them, are filled with high-definition potholes. I almost injured my ankle as I tried, against my better judgement, to walk on one of the streets.
My fellow reporter Ross Sheil, who took a photograph of the mammoth pothole, almost injured himself as well. It was like an
obstacle course.
The roads in the community resemble the scene of mass destruction, as if hit by Israel in their bombardment of Lebanon. The residents are screaming for help. One resident, who has been living in the community for some 20 years, told us that she has never seen her road - Fairview Boulevard - being repaired. The residents revealed that some taxi operators are reluctant to come into the community.
One proprietor added that the companies that provide goods to their business are on the verge of stopping the deliveries. While on the scene, a motorist, who was trying to skilfully manoeuvre his way through the massive potholes on Fairfield Drive, damaged his car. Believe it or not, his car actually got stuck in one of the huge potholes. He had to reverse and reposition his vehicle in order to escape the crater.
Additionally, one resident explained that when it rains, the roads are transformed into swimming pools filled with murky water. When asked to describe how bad it was, the resident lamented, "Water, just water ... and mud."
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
The local authorities are usually responsible for the community roads, therefore, the roads should be the responsibility of the St. Catherine Parish Council.
WHAT'S THE STATUS
The Gleaner vehicle and a cyclist negotiate potholes along Farivew Boulevard in Fairview Park last week. - Photos by Ross Sheil
At news time, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Mayor of Spanish Town told The Gleaner that he was uncertain whether the St. Catherine Parish Council.or private developers were responsible for road repairs in the community. However, he said the Government has sourced an estimaed sum of money to administer an islandwide repair-job roads throughout the island.
CONCLUSION
This is just ridiculous. How can taxpaying citizens be subjected to conditions such as these? This is dereliction of duty in the highest degree. The persons responsible for the maintenance of the roads in the community should be ashamed of themselves. We will definitely find out who is responsible and they will have to give us some answers!
In some European countries, 'potholing' is a sport, but in Jamaica, potholes are a way of life - a dangerous and costly one, which can do serious damage to your vehicle or your person.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action.
Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Ltd., 7 North Street, P.O. Box 40, Kingston;
Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email:tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.
