The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

Improper Road Construction

The traffic lights at the Mahogany Tree junction have been malfunctioning for approximately seven months now. Apparently, the sensor which controls the traffic light on the Stoney Ground Road was destroyed when the new road was constructed. As a result only two vehicles can pass before the green light changes back to red, if no vehicles are approaching from the south.

In September 2006, I spoke to the Permanent Secretary and informed him of the situation. He indicated that the Chief Engineer was on vacation but he would contact the company constructing the road to have the problem rectified.

In November, after seeing no changes I spoke to the Chief Engineer about the matter. He was unaware of the problem. He then promised to speak to the Government’s Project Manager in charge of the Stoney Ground/Little Dix Road construction to have the problem resolved. To date, nothing has been accomplished to resolve motorists’ frustration of long traffic lines, watching the light change every two seconds before their chance comes to pass the light. It now appears that work on that road has been abandoned for nothing has been done on it since December 2006 while work has started on the Farrington Road. “Common sense” seems to have died suddenly.

It is rather strange that Government constantly emphasizes the paramount importance of tourism to Anguilla but shows little interest in areas that affect tourism. The Stoney Ground/Little Dix road provides accesss to Shoal Bay East where tourists visit every day. It’s deterioration with numerous pot holes was appalling. Therefore, the rebuilding process was a welcome sight to everyone. Unfortunately, the present condition is just as bad or worse than it was prior to April 2006. The section that is finished is almost similar to taking the ferry to St. Martin on a windy day, due to the fact that whereever the asphalt is joined it is at a different level. The unfinished section has just as many pot holes now as it did in April 2006.

When one drives on the Jeremiah Gumbs Highway and observe its excellent construction, and then compare it with the Stoney Ground/Little Dix Road one then realises that the Stoney Ground Road is deplorable. To increase the road tax by 25% and provide roads of such inferior quality is depressing to the tax payer. Walwyn and his crew would have done much better with their tar truck. Now adding insult to injury, the road is left unfinished during the peak of the tourist season, “pot holes and all.”

I guess it will be said that Government is paying a Project Manager to supervise the project. The results so far indicates that the Project Manager needs to be supervised. For, with proper supervision,
(1) the traffic lights should never have been disrupted to have motorists hoping and praying that vehicles are not approaching from the south when they approach the traffic light on Stoney Ground road.
(2) the bumps whereever the asphalt is joined would have been eliminated, thus resulting in a more professional product.
It is really disappointing to see the wanton waste of tax payers precious money. Round pegs in square holes will never prevent water escaping and that is not free anymore. Let’s hope that it is not too late to address and correct the mistakes made on this project. It is nearly a year since this project commenced with no signs of it being finished.

I hope that for tourism purposes, those responsible and accountable for this project, will ensure it is prioritized and considered necessary to have it urgently completed.

Yours:
Colonel Harrigan (Mr)

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