A motorist negotiates through potholes along the hole-ridden Woodhaven stretch.

What's not working?

While it may be smooth sailing along upper Woodhaven Avenue, just behind the Red Hills Mall in St Andrew, the mid to lower end of the thoroughfare seems to have been forgotten like a bastard child, where repairs were concerned. It is a polar contrast to the rest of the stretch.

Synopsis of the situation:

It is obvious that repairs were done recently on the Woodhaven Avenue, probably a political attempt to woo voters in the lead up to the September 3 General Election last year, according to residents. However, the repairs only reached as far as the mid-section of the thoroughfare. Not a novelty occurrence for projects of that sort. Nonetheless, motorists, passers-by and residents made one thing clear and that is that it is unacceptable for the road to remain in that condition. They are finding it hard to figure out how repairs could have only been seen as fit for the upper section of the road while the lower end is left to grapple with ghastly craters, some conveniently being located right at their gates so there is really no getting around them.

Who's responsible?

The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

One of the gaping craters along Woodhaven Avenue in St Andrew. - Photos by Marlon Vickerman

What's the status?

Lincoln Evans, town clerk at the KSAC, said the residents ought not think that they are being left to fend for themselves but that, at the time when the repairs were done to the upper section of the road, the KSAC was working with what limited resources it had available. As a result, the extensive work that should have been carried was cut short. Evans said that residents should be a little more patient as the KSAC seeks to procure funds to complete the work that was started on the stretch.

Conclusion

The saving grace is the fact that some amount of work was done on sections of the road. However, people may start to smell a rat looking at the time when the repairs were supposedly done last year and that only a select section benefited. The KSAC has asked for a little more time to address the issue as it says it lacks the resources. I guess the residents may have no choice but to wait. Not saying that it is acceptable and not picking sides but at least half the problem has been rectified so far, so keep hope.