Poor roads strangle Bunker's Hill residents

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Residents of Bunker's Hill in Trelawny are expressing dissatisfaction over the poor state of roads in their communities and what they say is the failure of the member of parliament, Patrick Atkinson, to address the issue.

The residents say, as a result, they have to pay more in transportation costs as some drivers of public-passenger vehicles are wary of venturing into the community.

"We are suffering," said resident, Michael Levy. "I have lived in Bunker's Hill for 51 years, and this is the worst condition I have ever seen the road. From here to work, it is terrible. we have to pay $200 to get in and out of the community; at nights we have to pay more."

"The MP - Mr Patrick Atkinson - from we put him in power, I haven't seen him come back to the community. look at the condition of the roads! Good God! It is a total disgrace! And to think that we have to wait another two or three years before they call elections for anything to be done to it," Levy added.

Allan Scarlett, a firefighter who lives in the area, said his major concern was that in the event of a fire, the response unit would not be able to get into the community. He called on Atkinson, who is also the attorney general, to provide much better representation.

"Mr Patrick Atkinson is responsible for around here, and since he has won the election, we haven't seen him any at all. he offers no representation to this constituency. We need some better roads. I'm a firefighter, and it bothers me to know that we can't come around here to save any houses if there is a fire because of the terrible road conditions," he said.

Scarlett also expressed concern that residents in need of urgent medical attention were also being adversely affected.

"Even the other day when I had to take my wife to the hospital, as she was having a baby, it took us nearly two hours to get out of this area, whereas if we had better roads, it would be a mere 15 minutes drive. I was in so much anguish because we needed to get to the hospital fast, and the terrible roads were delaying us," he said.

When Western Focus visited the area recently, extended sections of the road where the asphalt and marl base were completely eroded were seen. Huge potholes were also visible, while in some areas, large chunks of the road had also been dug out. Several motorists were also seen gingerly trying to avoid the holes.

Minibus operator Lindon Bernard, who plies the Falmouth to Bunker's Hill route, said the roads were also adversely affecting his transportation service.

"This road is in a terrible condition, and it is affecting us badly. Every week, we have to change parts for our vehicles. Because of the bad roads, several people in the communities are also suffering because we have to turn back at a certain point. Where the conditions are so bad, we cannot proceed any further," he said.

"This is not about politics. Mr Atkinson has to try to remember the good that we do for him around here, and he has not done anything for us. A day after the election, he came and said thank you. that's all; nothing else.

The prime minister is coming by next week to open the housing scheme in Bounty Hall, and they are trying to do something to fix those roads; as soon as the prime minister gone, they don't remember anything else that needs to be done, it is only on special occasions that Mr Atkinson comes to Trelawny, and we do not rate him for that," Bernard added.

When contacted, councillor of the Wakefield Division (which encompasses Bunker's Hill), Jonathan Bartley, told Western Focus that the National Works Agency (NWA) was responsible for repairing the road.

"I keep questioning the authority about what has happened to the Bunker's Hill Road, and I just can't hear anything from (National) Works Agency or from the member of parliament," Bartley said.

"I am very concerned about this road ... it is in a deplorable condition, and it is the main road that links Wakefield to Deeside. So it is a main road that link major communities, and the last time it was fixed was in 1980," he added.

However, when contacted, Hugh Small, Trelawny's assistant parish manager for the NWA, said the road did not fall under the auspices of his organisation and, as such, they had no plans for its rehabilitation.

"It's not on our list ... it is a parish council road. We cover from Wakefield to Friendship and from Deeside to Dromily," Small said.