Residents: Three Miles bypass needs 24-hour security, fence

From potential robberies, to stray animals crossing the newly opened Three Miles bypass in St Andrew, residents of Seaview Gardens, the community through which the thoroughfare runs, are calling on the relevant authorities to implement 24-hour security, as well as erect fencing along the corridor.

Despite being scheduled for a 4 p.m. opening on Sunday, access to the bypass was not granted to motorists until around 7 p.m., because it was incomplete. This caused inconvenience and disappointment for some motorists who had to find alternative routes.

A concerned male resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Gleaner on Sunday that the real concern for motorists is their safety.

"Dem need fi have bright light, because round yah suh a nuh joke thing," he stressed, implying that robbers from nearby communities will plague motorists.

"This road needs fencing, because we will soon start to see pigs and crocodiles crossing the street. The crocodiles come out if their home is flooded. The hogs run out at any time, so the fencing will ease off the animals and the criminals. Some persons from nearby communities usually come through the bushes, so if there is no fence, you will need 24-hour security."

POLICE WILL BE VIGILANT

Speaking to The Gleaner yesterday, Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen, who is in charge of the police Traffic Division, agreed that fencing could be the answer for keeping animals from accessing the roadway. He also gave a commitment that the police will remain visible along the corridor to ensure the safety of users, and pointed to the National Works Agency (NWA) for answers to questions about fencing.

"What is going to keep out those animals is a sort of fencing, so I advocate for fencing to go up. The safety of the travelling public is critical and animals crossing the road could become a danger. We have been speaking with the NWA about the installation of street lights because that road is very dark. We have to work closely with the St Andrew south police as best as possible to ensure the presence of police. I would say speak to the NWA about the issue of fencing," said Allen.

Stephen Shaw, communications manager at NWA, stated that "stray animals are a concern and is something we have to look at. The parish council has the power to impound and so we will engage the services of the parish council."

He added, "I can't say anything about criminals accessing the road because we have many open roads across the country."

Shaw also addressed the issue of possible flooding caused by garbage pile up in a drain running alongside the bypass, noting, "That is one of the reasons I think you would have heard about plans to get the National Solid Waste Management Authority to clean up the town centres. All we can do here is appeal to the good conscience of the Jamaican people."

jason.cross@gleanerjm.com