Government Senator Norman Grant, frustrated by a lack of cohesion in the development, repair and maintenance of the country's road network, is calling for the establishment of a single body to carry out this function.

In a resolution tabled in the Upper Houseon Friday, Senator Grant recommended that a new body - the Central Road Authority - be established. This would incorporate the roadworks of the National Works Agency which currently has responsibility for major roads, and the local government authorities which are charged with maintaining parochial roads.

In his resolution, Senator Grant asked that a commission be set up to examine both the feasibility of the new road body and how the role of the parish councils and other entities might be preserved, if necessary, at the same time.

Poor state of farm roads

Senator Grant, who is also the president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, has, for some time, been highlighting the poor state of rural farm roads, in particular. In his resolution, he complained that this situation was having an adverse impact on the agricultural sector and rural life in general.

He contends that a significant portion of more than 15,000 kilometres of parish council, rural and farm roads and those in housing schemes were being very poorly managed, with some falling under no authority at all.