World Bank funding to ease Big Pond flood woes
Published:Monday | February 13, 2023 | 5:19 AM
For years, residents and commuters traversing the St Catherine community of Bannister have done so with quivering hearts.
That’s because of the threat of Big Pond – the deep crater that overflows its banks during heavy rainfall, rendering the main road impassable and swamping homes.
But those perennial flood woes are expected to ease with grant funding of US$8 million, financed by the World Bank, geared towards mitigation activities.
De facto Works Minister Clifford Everald Warmington said the funding forms a crucial plank in the development plans for the constituency. Big Pond falls within St Catherine South West, which Warmington represents in the House of Representatives.
“With this funding, users of the Bannister main road will be able to travel north of Big Pond whenever it rains, without having to travel to Spanish Town because of flooding,” Warmington said.
“The project is being done in phases. We have started with the works to widen the Mighty Gully Bridge,” he added.
Warmington, who will not run in the next general election, said the other phase includes the buildout of a large tributary to drain the water from Big Pond.
That channel will allow for floodwaters to run directly into the sea in Old Harbour Bay, which will ease the plight of those who have suffered for years, the seven-term member of parliament said.
Warmington told The Gleaner that the development is in sync with his plans to serve the constituency.
“This new work will give hope to the people again. I have seen neighbours’ livelihoods washed away by Big Pond, so many of us moved out,” David Marshalleck, a resident, said.
More than $20 million had been spent two years ago by the National Works Agency to excavate Big Pond to limit the risk of flooding, but that intervention has not been successful.