Risky steps - Lack of sidewalk leaves Falmouth children at risk
Published:Wednesday | May 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer
FALMOUTH, Trelawny:
WITH MORE traffic on the Falmouth to Martha Brae roadway in Trelawny because of the former's development, there is now more danger for the many children who have to traverse the area which has no sidewalk.
With a population of close to 2,000 from four schools, Hague Primary, William Knibb and Holland High schools, along with Dennis Tobin Preparatory in the Martha Brae area, children walk on the roadway from these schools to Falmouth daily, where they either reside or take connecting transportation to their various areas of abode.
The road is very narrow with hardly a soft shoulder for the children to walk, forcing them to walk in the road.
Former Trelawny Chamber of Commerce president, Dennis Seivwright, himself a contractor, is putting a $10-million price tag on the building of the sidewalk.
Seivwright said the sidewalk was started in the '70s when Keith Russell was member of parliament, but this was not completed, and has subsequently eroded. He added that during his tenure as chamber president, he was promised that it would be completed, but this did not happen.
Residents are demanding that the sidewalk be built. They are requesting that the excuse of no funding not be used, as money was found to facilitate the development of the town.
up for consideration
Meanwhile, mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Collen Gager, said, "there is no plan to build a sidewalk at this time." He, however, noted that the children's safety has to be protected, therefore, it would be considered.
Meanwhile, Dr Patrick Harris, member of parliament for the area, said there are plans for a sidewalk, but noted that funding was a problem. "We have submitted this and other projects to the Ministry of Transportation and Works, but no response." He noted that the Constituency Development Fund could not be used for this purpose, as there were other pressing matters, including things to be done as the hurricane season approaches.