No swimming without lifeguard: A resident of Golden Acres, St. Catherine, makes her way around a water-filled crater on Queensborough Terrace. - Contributed Photo

What's not working?

There is nothing precious about the roads in Golden Acres. They are horrific, to say the least. Some craters are almost large enough to swallow a small car.

And to make matters worse, many of the area's roads are transformed into rivers after heavy rainfall, and one miscalculated move may drive you up the wall with auto repair and wrecker fees.

Synopsis of situation

The residents don't seem to know whose responsibility it is to repair and maintain the streets.

Phyllis Downer, a resident, said the roads have been deteriorating since the early 1990s and no agency has come forward to effect repairs.

The comment was supported by another resident, who preferred not to be identified, from Windsor Drive in the community.

"We don't know who is responsible for the roads," the elderly woman said. "I don't have a clue as to whether it's the St. Catherine Parish Council or the National Works Agency (NWA), and I doubt it's NWA because these aren't main roads."

She continued: "Whoever is responsible needs to step forward because the roads are very terrible and a lot of us in here are senior citizens with arthritis, we can't manage the bad road at all.

"To make it worse, taxis either refuse to come down here or charge extra. It's due time now that something gets done."

Who's responsible?

The National Works Agency (NWA) or the St. Catherine Parish Council?

What's the status?

A representative from NWA's St. Catherine office said that the roads in Golden Acres did not fall under the agency's purview.

Winston Kelly, superintendent of roads and works at the St. Catherine Parish Council, said that he was "not sure" if the roads in community were the parish council's responsibility. He, however, sought to assure that he would investigate the matter further and provide Tyrone's Watch with an update.

Conclusion

The burning question is: Who is responsible for the Golden Acres road? But one thing is certain: The roads are terrible! So, whoever is responsible for the upkeep of these roads really needs to get some shovels swinging andstep up to the plate after being missing in action for decades.

Most of these residents are senior citizens; whatever happened to respecting and looking out for your elders?

- Marlon Vickerman

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 Ltd., 7 North Street; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.