Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Alfreco Stephens, manager of John's Hall Aggregates.

WESTERN BUREAU:

'Canco', a section of the main road adjoining communities in John's Hall, St James, is shifting ... and sinking.

Now, residents and motorists fear that several communities could be cut off at any time.

"It is just a matter of time before the road gives way. The only thing that might prevent this from happening is if the National Works Agency (NWA) moves swiftly to have an engineer's thorough analysis of the area and not simply applying a short term solution," said Alfreco Stephens, manager at the John's Hall Aggregates.

Stephens explained that the earth sinks and shifts towards the river whenever it rains heavily. Residents and motorists say the situation is of grave concern, particularly as the hurricane season runs until the end of November.

Charles Powell, a taxi operator, said people would be greatly inconvenienced should the roadway disintegrate. "Residents would have to travel via Latium, Hampton or other districts in order to get to their respective homes and that's a much longer route."

Possible collapse

According to Stephens, if the communities experience a week of rain it is likely that the roadway could collapse. He said: "The NWA has visited the area, but they don't know what the problem is. We understand they are planning to cut a road on the other side of the river, but we have not had official words on that. Our company has reconstructed the roadway six times, but it continues to shift and sink."

Residents and motorists are again calling on the NWA to urgently carry out a study to remedy the situation.

A section of the shifting roadway in the John's Hall community of St James. Residents fear the road will continue to sink and shift towards the river. - Photos by Noel Thompson