Oakland Crescent worsens following Rafael’s rains

A previous effort by good Samaritans to alleviate the frustrations of residents over the poor state of Oakland Crescent in Payne Land, St Andrew, was reduced to naught on Tuesday as it was washed away following rainfall linked to Tropical Storm Rafael.

Residents who spoke with The Gleaner said that, before the potholes were filled by locals, they were several inches deep, making it difficult for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to navigate.

They are calling for swift action in rehabilitating the roadway.

One resident is hoping the authorities will consider whether cement would be a better option for the rehabilitated road surface, as opposed to the traditional marl and asphalt, because of the drainage issues.

“It terrible, man. Our road terrible. Sometime mi shame, you see,” the resident said.

Last Friday, The Gleaner highlighted the state of the road in the community as residents voiced their dissatisfaction and bemoaned the inconvenience caused by the situation over the last three years.

Homeowners have taken to parking their vehicles at the top of the road and walking the rest of the way to avoid damaging them.

They stated that the source of the issue was a nearby gully located along Waltham Park Road, which often overflows onto the Oakland Crescent during heavy rainfall and brings with it piles of debris.

But one resident told The Gleaner yesterday that the debris is a result of litterbugs residing above Oakland Crescent.

“The people dem weh up the gully nasty, so them throw bed, dead dog, everything [in it],” said the woman who asked not to be identified.

“Every minute dem (the authorities) clean it (the gully), ... but the nasty people dem up deh suh – [from] Chisholm Avenue and go up – [throw garbage in it],” she added.

A shopkeeper along Oakland Crescent said that floodwaters often enter her cornershop, damaging the wooden floors. This, she said, has cost her significantly, as she has to replace the flooring frequently.

St Andrew South Western Dr Angela Brown-Burke told The Gleaner that Oakland Crescent was a priority among three roadways that she had submitted for repairs under the government’s $45-billion Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.

Last week, she said, she had received neither communication on approval since the submission nor a timeline in which the road would be rehabilitated.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com