Highway to gold mine or gravel lane to misery

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Permit me to share my observations in light of the recent opening of the Harbour View to Yallahs leg of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.

The recent completion and celebration of the completion of another leg of the Southern Coastal Highway highway marked a significant milestone in the development of the parish of St. Thomas. For years, residents endured treacherous journeys on roads riddled with potholes, hindering progress and stifling economic growth. The unveiling of the new, smooth-paved highway promised a brighter future, a symbol of progress and prosperity for the region.

However, away from the celebration of progress lies a concerning reality that threatens to undermine the highway’s potential. Large trucks carrying gravel and sand from St Thomas traverse the newly constructed roadway in an unprotected manner, continue to spill a trail of debris and danger. Gravel spills along the turf, creating hazardous conditions for drivers who once navigated through the former pothole-ridden thoroughfare. The increase in speed coupled with the spread of gravel debris poses a grave risk to commuters and could lead to disastrous consequences for the parish.

Rather than serving as a highway to success, the Southern Coastal Highway, runs the risk of becoming a gravel lane to sorrow. The failure to address the issue of overloaded gravel-spilling trucks driving on the road not only jeopardises the safety of motorists but also undermines the very essence of progress and development. It is imperative that authorities take swift and decisive action to rectify this oversight, ensuring that the promise of a brighter future for St. Thomas does not succumb to the perils of neglect and indifference. The time to act is now, before the highway becomes a symbol not of progress, but of tragedy and regret.

PAUL MORRIS

Geography Educator