NWA promises to address Newport West road hazards
Published:Thursday | September 2, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer
The National Works Agency (NWA) has given the assurance that everything is in place for repair work to begin on the deplorable roadways in Newport West, Kingston, before the end of the year.
The assurance comes amid complaints by truck drivers and business operators in the vicinity of the port, who charge that the poor road conditions pose safety concerns and have increased their operating costs.
Some business owners also claim that, despite several promises, the condition of the roads has been largely ignored.
Stephen Shaw, communications manager at the NWA, admitted yesterday that the agency was aware of "some challenges" in Newport West, but said much of the preliminary work has already been completed.
Financial arrangements finalised
In addition, he said funding has been identified and all the financial arrangements finalised.
"So we should be able to start something by the end of the calendar year," Shaw said.
Yesterday, huge potholes could be seen along Newport Boulevard, as well as First and Second streets.
Where they could, drivers did their best to navigate around the obstacles, while others slowed their vehicle to a crawl to get through those they could not avoid.
One truck driver, Hubert Butler, told The Gleaner that the potholes make it dangerous for drivers who use the wharf daily to drop off containers.
"If we no careful the container overturn because the hole dem deep," Butler complained.
One of the companies worst affected is Precision Cold Storage, which has a huge pothole outside its gate.
Valerie Barker, the company's administrative assistant, said the company had been forced to purchase marl or river shingle to fill the potholes.
Anderson Haulage Services is another company that has seen its operating costs increase.
Managing Director Arthur Anderson said the company has been forced to spend more to repair its fleet of trucks.
"They should not wait until they (the roads) get into such a deplorable condition to fix it because then it costs more," he suggested.