This picture shows another view of the pothole-riddled Stratford Avenue in Hagley Park Gardens.

What's not working?

Ever wondered why so many automobile businesses ranging from dealerships to repair shops are on Hagley Park Road? Here's my guess - the state of roads in Hagley Park Gardens. The thoroughfares in the community, located off Hagley Park Road, are facing death. As a matter of fact, they have been defaced by craters and ditches that residents say have got bigger over the years while the authorities are doing very little to help.

Synopsis of situation:

Margaret Villa Road is one of the main entrances to Hagley Park Gardens. For the keen observer, one thing that strikes when travelling on this road, other than the screaming potholes, is a small billboard advertising 'rim repairs'. The sign could not have been better placed as ditches and potholes dominate Margaret Villa Road. This description also applies to the other roads in the community.

Loreston Davidson said in his three years as a resident on Margaret Villa Road, he has yet to see the road being repaired. Davidson continued that it is the residents who often take it upon themselves to better their road conditions by pouring premix cement in the potholes that are plaguing their roads. However, their best efforts have proven not good enough because whenever it rains "de place flood out".

Stratford Avenue is no different from Margaret Villa Road. They both are filled with potholes, cracks, ditches and disgruntled residents.

Eunice Finlayson, who has lived on the avenue for 11 years, said she was yet to witness a complete repair of the roads in the area.

"To be honest Stratford wasn't always this bad. It got worse over time," she said. "What I don't understand, though, is why some months ago workmen came and only repaired the marginal section of Stratford that leads to the main (Hagley Park Road) and left the rest of the road. They hardly touched Stratford."

Harkland Drive andDenehurst Avenue, other roads in Hagley Park Gardens, are also in need of help. Eulah James, Harkland Drive resident, said since Hurricane Ivan none of the roads in the community, including Harkland Drive, has enjoyed any repairs.

Who's responsible?

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC)

What's the status?

Delroy Hall, head of the Roads and Works Department at KSAC, told our news team that the council's heart is willing but to repair the roads but its pocket is weak.

Conclusion

Hagley Park Gardens is urgently in need of road repairs. It cries shame not only on the parish councils, but also on central government when communities are forced to deal with defaced roads for years and in some cases, decades, while the authorities seemingly sit back in a high chair, leaving the residents to fend for themselves. Shame, shame, shame on you!

Citing lack of funds is too sad a sankey that is sung too frequently. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of hearing the same song. It is like a scratch record. It must be a recording.

Central government needs to give the parish council the necessary funding to deal with the parochial road network instead of spending all the money on highways.

Make the sacrifice today and then implement a proper maintenance programme that will prevent the roads from deteriorating to the point where so much money is needed to rehabilitate them again. We are still watching!

- Done by Marlon Vickerman, Gleaner Writer

Margaret Villa Road in Hagley Park Gardens is notorious for its cracks, potholes and ditches. This picture explains why. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

We want to hear from you!

Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action. Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Limited, 7 North Street, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.