EDITORIAL - Hopeful for better roads
The poor state of our road network has been a matter that has engaged the attention of many persons in this country over the last several years, and it is hoped that concern will soon be a thing of the past.
We well remember a few years ago that the Barbados Road Safety Association was so concerned about the number and size of potholes on the roads, they started to erect warning flags at those they deemed to be the most dangerous. Potholes even became somewhat of an issue on the campaign trail in 2018, and there were many a social media post which poked fun at comments of one former minister about potholes.
When the new government took over in May 2018 the situation did not improve overnight. In fact, some may argue that it got worse. But it appears that they recognise the very urgent need to improve the road infrastructure and are taking the steps to do so.
Certainly, few can forget the badly damage road at Pothouse St. John which caught the attention of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley in December 2019, when she promised short-term relief to the residents, and that the road would be fixed within two to three months’ time. But sadly, that St. John road is but one of the many bad roads in that parish – Martin’s Bay, Todds, Cherry Grove, Sherbourne and Wilson Hill immediately come to mind – and what must be noted is that St. John is not the only parish facing the problem of shabby road infrastructure.
Unfortunately, we cannot escape that reality, but as we noted, work to rectify the situation has started. We have seen part of the ABC and the Charles Duncan O’Neal Highways fixed. Around that time, we were told that several secondary roads were also to be repaired, including Hothersal Main Road, Lears and Carmichael – but we have not seen work on those start as yet. Those three roads in particular, it is hoped, can see some work done to them sooner rather than later, given the very poor state in which they currently are.
While those still have to be addressed, in recent months other roadworks have been carried out and there has been some talk about more to be fixed in the not too distant future. Indeed we were able to see Flagstaff Road repaired and a part of Wildey from the junction by the Sol Gas Station, and it is understood that the remainder of that road leading to Bridgetown is to be completed as the government seeks to make greater use of the mill-and-pave method. They must also be commended for the repair done to Fairfield and Green Hill so far, which were both in a horrible state for many years.
Now it is welcome news, we are sure, to hear that Highway 7, Highway 1 and Two Mile Hill are also to get much needed facelifts soon. This is indeed heartening and motorists and their vehicles will no doubt breathe a sigh of relief as these major arteries are given attention. Certainly, it is hoped that once that work is started there would be no delays and that other repairs can also get going in short order and advance at a fairly rapid pace, as it is not fair for persons to be paying a tax to drive on the roads, and those roads are not in a suitable condition to be safely traversed.
It is also hoped that they follow through with the promise, to where possible, address the water and gas mains at the same time. Yes, this is likely to extend the life of the work and cost a little more, but it would certainly be more costly to repave a road, dig it up and pave it again.