Concerned citizens appeal to government to fix rundown bridge

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN increasing number of residents have voiced their concerns at the state of the bridge that connects the Greenlands area to Lower Market Street, as it has fallen into disrepair despite frequent calls to replace or repair it.

According to Elvis ‘Jam Down’ Manners, the bridge has fallen into an unsuitable condition and he has been appealing to the Minister of Public Works, the Dr. Hon. Asim Martin, since 2000 to pave the area in which the bridge is situated.

“There needs to be a proper walkway for pedestrians. They should level the land, clear out the bushes and pave the area, with banisters to assist the frailer persons who utilise the bridge. Old people use this bridge on their way to and from these areas and children use it on their way to school and home. “We can’t have the bridge in such a terrible state. What are we paying taxes for then?”

SKNVibes spoke to Oaklyn Peets, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, who reassured that the bridge would be 
 fixed by Wednesday, October 22 or no later than the end of this week. ~~Adz:Right~~

In response to idea that the bridge should be replaced by a walking path, Peets stated that there was “no urgent need to do so, as the bridge has served its purpose for many years and it is sufficiently formidable and high enough so as to not interrupt the flow of water”.

“It is easy to say that this should happen and that should happen when you don’t have the competence or knowledge to make the decision,” he added.

“Any walkway that is placed there will suffer erosion and it will be eaten away. Instead of a permanent fixture, we have the bridge, which is replaced and/or repaired when circumstances call for it and has been a nice little shortcut for years.”