Camberwell, St Mary residents want urgent repair after new road damaged by heavy rains

Residents of Camberwell in St Mary are appealing to the authorities to urgently undertake repairs to the main road in the district, as sections of the recently paved corridor have fallen into a state of disrepair following heavy rains.

Breakaways, as well as potholes, have developed along sections of the roadway, causing residents to raise concerns about their safety.

“Di rains fell for more than a week, and now parts of the road damage bad. We now have breakaway and landslides in some areas,” said a resident who gave his name only as Derrick.

“We know dat nobody can control natural disaster, but di reality is that wi good, good road mash up back, and wi want dem fi fix it. Wi nah blame no one, but all we want is the road. All ah wi glad say di road did fix, because it was very bad before, and taxi could come into the area with ease. So wi a beg di road people dem fi come do dem ting, because wi nuh get nuh good service yet,” he added.

Another resident, Carl Phillips, who is physically challenged, told The Gleaner that for the first time in more than a decade he was able to travel in a taxi to the hospital with ease.

According to him, “Since the roadway was rehabilitated, everybody was pleased with the quality of work done.”

“After almost a week and a half of heavy rainfall, some sections of the road just mash up back so. Wi nuh get no service out ah it, and a taxpayer money fix it, so di contractors dem shoulda come back come do the necessary repairs. It really rough pon everybody in Camberwell and other areas,” Phillips said.

Meantime, Member of Parliament for South East St Mary, Christopher Brown, indicated that he has raised the matter with the National Works Agency, which he said is aware of the situation. He added that the road is not yet fully completed, as only one section had been paved at the time.

“As Members of Parliament, we don’t deal directly with contractors on work quality and other contractual obligations, so I’ve reported this through the proper channels. I will continue to monitor this and push for a proper resolution for the residents of Camberwell,” he said.

He added: “Residents have argued that it is unfortunate that a freshly done road could be affected so quickly, while raising questions about the quality of the work, which, in all fairness, is valid. It is rather concerning that a roadway so recently done could have been compromised by a single period of heavy rainfall. This naturally raises questions about the quality and durability of the works being executed under the SPARK [Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network] Programme. I will continue to monitor the matter closely and advocate for a proper resolution so that the residents of Camberwell can have the safe and durable roadway they deserve.”

- Gareth Davis Snr

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