PM Admits Delay, Promises Full Infrastructure Overhaul in St John’s City West
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has acknowledged that St John’s City West was left behind in previous phases of road development, while pledging a comprehensive overhaul of roads, drains and curbs across the constituency.
Browne said Public Works crews are already deployed and have been given clear instructions to remain in the area until every road is completed.
“The crew that is there currently should continue until all of the roads in St John’s City West, all of the roads in Point and Villa, are paved,” he said, giving residents assurances that the long-standing issues will be addressed in full.
He admitted that the constituency was intentionally deprioritized during earlier infrastructure rollouts, a decision that has contributed to persistent complaints from residents.
“As a captain, I had chosen to leave St John’s City West for last,” Browne said, explaining that the sequencing of national projects placed other areas ahead of the constituency.
He added that the calling of early elections further delayed the completion of works, leaving residents to endure deteriorating infrastructure for longer than anticipated.
“Whereas they’ve had to contend with poor infrastructure for the last two terms, this time around we’re starting early,” he said.
The upgrade programme, he indicated, is not limited to road resurfacing but forms part of a broader infrastructure push that includes drainage systems and curbs, aimed at addressing flooding, erosion and long-term durability.
Work has already begun on key routes such as Bishopsgate Street and North Street, with additional areas scheduled as crews move systematically through the constituency.
Browne also pointed to ongoing improvements in utilities, noting that sections of the constituency, particularly in Point, have already benefited from re-piping works that have improved water quality — an issue residents had long complained about due to aging infrastructure.
Beyond immediate repairs, the Prime Minister framed the roadworks as part of a wider transformation of St John’s City West into a major economic and commercial hub.
He said ongoing and planned developments — including port expansion, cruise infrastructure, and private sector investment — are expected to significantly increase economic activity in the area, making modern infrastructure essential.
“The area is fast becoming a true city,” Browne said, adding that improved roads and supporting infrastructure will play a central role in facilitating business growth, mobility and investment.
He outlined a broader vision in which City West evolves into one of the country’s most significant economic zones, supported by developments such as transshipment operations, commercial expansion, and urban renewal.
At the same time, Browne sought to reassure constituents that the renewed focus on infrastructure reflects a shift in priorities for the upcoming term.
“At the end of the day, we have the influence and the power to make it happen,” he said.
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You had 2 more years to do all this. You can’t come back after 3 terms to promise you are going to be doing things that should have been done at least 1 term ago.
You are the one who chose to cut this term short by a lot. So the excuses don’t make sense. You are the one who is delaying it. It’s not like the snap election was called by someone else. You call it.
ABLP PROMISE #99, bwoi I wasn’t far off one of my recent Gaston Browne predictions 🤣🤣🤣