MP for St. George Algernon “Serpent” Watts is pleased, but far from satisfied, that the Public Works Department has finally undertaken the repair of a dangerous section of the Factory Road.
On Tuesday morning, April 4, a crew from the Ministry of Works began patching a section of Factory Road that fronts both Potters Village homes and a commercial property – a law office.
The surface and the substrate had been eaten away gradually by the settlement of water and the passage of vehicles – and the crater had stretched to almost halfway across the road in the past two weeks.
While Potters residents have been complaining for years about the unsightly and unsanitary water – and the stench emanating from the stagnant pool – both Watts and Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle had called for the situation to be addressed during the recent Budget Debate.
Watts pointed out, then, that drivers traveling west in that area were being forced to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid falling into the deep and jagged crater – thereby creating a dangerous situation for themselves and others.
The MP noted, too, that Factory Road borders both St. George and the constituency of Rural East, which is represented by Minister of Works Maria Browne, to whom he had written, asking for the repair of this stretch.
However, the solution – what he describes as “putting some sugarcake in a cavity” – is not enough to address the health hazard and eyesore on this major roadway, he says.
While the hole appears to have been filled in and the surface rolled – making driving safer – Watts remains concerned that the root of the problem has not been corrected.
Patching the pothole without addressing the stagnant pool of water undermining the road is like “putting a band-aid on a sore foot,” he says.
Finally, the St. George MP points to the millions of dollars that have been earmarked for road rehabilitation. He is hoping that some of it will be put toward a “proper” fix as a matter of priority – before someone is seriously hurt in a vehicular accident or on account of the accumulated green, slimy water.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Personally, I’d prefer to see the road dug up, and properly resurfaced. Perhaps, with further consultations, that stretch of the road can be one way, with Old Parham Road also being one way.
If could help in the flow of traffic
@Wadadli Man…I’ve being SHOUTING about making Factory Rd, and Old Parham Ras ⬆️⬇️for decades.
A…the carnt park would not be there, instead, Reflecting Pools filtering the east and West Country ponds. Statues adorn the reflecting pools. The Parking garage three levels, south of government complex…3 levels with underground water storage to supply the hospital.
B…close factory rd from the gas stations to the war memorial utilize the space to add additional public complexes with well designed botanical gardens extended from the original botanical gardens.
C. The bus terminal would utilize the first level of the parking garage, along with reserved parking for Government offices(serviced in a loop by a tram car service utilizing 10 seater solar powered golf carts!
D…The Fire dept can be relocated to an upgraded complex at American Rd – RPAB.
Recreation Ground, the hail, the war memorial, Government house(get rid of the GG, as in becoming a Republic) the Library, the bowl at the botanical garden, would be an Art and museum walk, amphitheater build where the bowl at botanical garden is(has a permanent stage to serve carnival, shows, theatrical performances, etc.
We got the ability!
We got the capability!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg👣Foot Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
It’s not so much the road but the gutter/ drains. OB’s is now a multi business complex with supermarket , Restaurants, medical Offices and more so a laundromat. It is a lot of water that is coming out of that area alone plus the surrounding business and homes etc.
Public Works, come on. Let’s do this properly. Toooo much patching up and then the problem resurfaces again in no time. Get the road fixed properly and ensure that there is proper uninterrupted drainage.
ONE THOUGHT OR TWO
The reimagining of the public spaces of St.John’s, Ras Smood, is “hopeful and maybe.” But what is the price tag, the funding, the return on this public investment?
A graphic-model presentation and funding projections may trigger widespread national interest.
The proposal can be brokendown into three phases: transportation/traffic flow; water conservation/distribution; cultural arts/aesthetics.
The transportation/ traffic flow and water issue, at this time, could get a higher priority with the potential for acceptable opinions.
Let us interact with humility, grace, good intentions!
Save our Humanity, Save our Youths, Save our Environment, Save our Soil!!!
Respect
@Ratwell…hear+ye!
I hear #Ye, too!
I remember #Hip_Hop from Bruckner Bvld to Parkchester to Hunts Point to 125th & Madison Ave, in the 1970’s.
They’re celebrating the so called 50th Anniversary but Hip_Hop and #Scratching Vinyl is more like 65 to 100years, if you include all of the conceptualizations, the visualizations, sacrifices, trials etc, yet, today of has created many billionaires to millionaires to paupers. Hey…at least da Hoode still have a say in its future and direction.
I remember Mill Reef and Halfmoon Bay being built, from a Limestone Quarry east of Freetown. Mill Reef is probably worth in the Billions now. The Melon Property alone is worth several millions.
The People of Antigua have no say in the direction of Mill Reef, heck, you’ll probably get a shot gun stuck in your back, with a voice saying, you’re TRESPASSING, even though you’re below the high water mark!
Makeda Mikael wrote an excellent piece in ANR today(4/13th/2023) entitled, Antigua & Barbuda and (REDONDA – many reasons why I’ll forever inckude REDONDA) to make us, a Tri-Island Nation…think Britain/Argentina and the Faulklands), about an Aviation Special Economic Zone. It’s a great read(think funding from some of those who’d be coming to our shores.
This leads me to our reimagined public spaces.
The Concept is there. I don’t own it in any which way more than a high school student with a dream or vision.
The Visualization can be achieved by utilizing drones to map the areas using 3D Imaging, then convert it to a virtual movie. This would involve school children, it’s their present abs future.
We can then most definitely look at the phases which of course wound be paramount from concept to fruition.
Fear nor maybe is an option to score the winning touchdown. You don’t go wide, except you wanna stop the game clock, to regroup. If it’s your last shot at the goal line, you ain’t going wide, you go deep.
It’s time we, as a People go deep fearlessly, with #Humility no doubt.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Foot Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
RASpect….
ONE THOUGHT OR TWO
I applaud that “the concept Is there…..I don’t own it….”, intrigued by Makeda’s article and Mill Reef reference, Ras Smood.
The Mill Reefers and friends come (came) with their financial wealth and power and are able to do (did) whatever they want to do. That’s the reality!
We, ” from the nigger yard of yesterday came with their burden. To the world of to-morrow, they turn with their strength.”
Let us develop financial and cultural strength always!
“We got the ability! We got the capability!”
We must get our financial/economic strength and power!
Let us interact with humility, grace, good intentions!
Save our Humanity, Save our Youths, Save our Environment, Save our Soil!!!
Respect
Comments are closed.