BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - RESIDENTS of the Shadwell area are speaking out about the government's refusal to pave and properly develop a passage-way that they use regularly.
Speaking with on such resident today (August 16), who goes by the name of Manners, he passionately told SKNVibes of the situation that the residents have been crying out for close to five years, yet nothing has been done.
The pathway is a shortcut that was created by the residents as a means of having another route to travel when there is heavy rainfall and the ghaut that leads from Dorset Road to Westbourne Ghaut overflows.
Manners said that persons living in Greenlands close to Dorset Road, who do not have transportation to cross the flooding water, usually use that shortcut to get where they have to go, but with the area deteriorating, the pathway is becoming more dangerous to cross.
"On more than one occasion we have asked the Ministers of government to take a look at the area and build us a little bridge for us to cross when needed. We already explained that reason for the bridge, but we get nothing," Manners explained.
He went on to state that children also use the path to get to and from school and that again is another risk.
"School children also use this shortcut on their way to and from school which is a risk they are taking, because they can fall into the ditch which has been getting deeper with every heavy rainfall.
"The high grass is not a major concern of ours, although they are a nuisance, but a simple bridge would put them at peace as they would not have to worry about falling when crossing.”
Manners said that his concern, along with other residents', lies with the elderly persons who also use the pathway regularly.
"But my main concern is the elderly persons that cross this bridge. It is three pieces of board that they have to walk on in order to get across and the boards are not even sturdy. If they do not use this shortcut, they will have to walk down the road their house is on, all the way around to Dorset Road and walk up that road to get to where they are going. Taking this shortcut is much easier for them.
"What if one of these days they fall into the ditch? They would stay there and suffer because who would hear their cries?"
Manners claimed that the residents have brought the issue to light on many occasions but the "powers that be" seem to be ignoring them as nothing has been done to rectify the situation and put the residents at peace.
He claimed that residents of the area spoke with a Minister of Parliament earlier this year about rectifying the situation but was told "we do not have any money".
Manners said that the project does not seem to be an expensive one and that he, along with other residents, are outraged by the government's lack of concern.
"Come on man…something needs to be done! It is a simple bridge we are asking for, we are not asking for a large development. What is so hard in putting up a simple bridge for us to walk on?"
When asked, another resident described the situation as a "tragedy".
Manners said that the pathway simply needs a proper concrete bridge so that residents and students may walk comfortably across without fear of falling into the deep ditch.
"We are tired of asking and not getting any response. I know it may seem simple, but to us it is a big concern to who live here," Manners expressed.
