Phillips calls for urgent traffic management systems for major road work corridors

Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips is calling for the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Ministry of Economic Growth to act swiftly to ensure the safety of pedestrians, especially the nation’s children, as come Monday many will be forced to traverse the corridors where major road work is underway.

Speaking at a back-to-school press conference held at the People’s National Party Old Hope Road headquarters on Thursday, Phillips said the absence of sidewalks, pedestrian areas, bus stops and signage along the affected corridors will pose a serious challenge for students and the physically challenged especially, during peak hours.

“As a responsible Opposition we have been making the call before the end of the summer break, about the lack of traffic management in the affected areas and the problems have persisted,” Phillips said.

Phillips wants the NWA to state clearly what plans are in place for traffic management in areas such as Constant Spring Road and Hagley Park Road and the Portia Simpson Miller Square which will see a higher concentration of vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to the reopening of schools.

He said the Barbican roadwork experience has demonstrated that the absence of proper traffic management systems and ineffective project implementation will result in unnecessary hardship for commuters.

He is calling for the government to put in the necessary pedestrian crossings and traffic warden service in areas where schools are located and the road construction projects are on in earnest. 

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