Motorists abandon all hopes of quick passage along the pothole-riddled Grants Crescent. - photo by Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

What's not working?

Compared to the thoroughfares on either side, Hagley Park Road can be considered a rose between the thorns. In April, Tyrone's Watch featured the roads on the right of Hagley Park Road, namely Stratford Avenue and Margaret Villa Road, that were in deplorable conditions. This week, we focus on two of the streets to the left of Hagley Park Road, Meridale Avenue and Grants Crescent, which have obviously been neglected.

Who's responsible?

Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

What's the status?

Earl Pinto, a representative from the road and works department, said the KSAC was responsible for the roads and some work had been started.

He said, however, that the project had been halted because of the transition in Government. Pinto sought to assure that work would resume soon.

Synopsis of situation:

Many motorists depend on the parochial roads leading on and off Hagley Park Road as their escape route from traffic. However, there is almost no escaping the potholes. Two such thoroughfares are Meridale Avenue and Grants Crescent.

Much of Meridale Avenue is pothole-riddled and this has been the case for almost two decades.

"I left the area and spent 10 years in England and eight years in Curaçao, came back and the road was looking the same, filled with potholes, so it seems as if no work was done over the years," said Kenneth Atkinson, a resident. "Meridale ranks among the worst roads in the Hagley Park Road area."

There was little difference on Grants Crescent, with only half of the roadway being paved, while the other half is punctuated with craters.

Errol Watson, a mechanic from the area, said it was in the lead-up to the recent general election that half of the road's surface was repaired. But other than that, the road continues to be neglected.

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, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.