Left: This Toyota pickup left front tyre fell into a manhole on Old Hope Road. Right: Balfour Gordon (right) and one of his colleagues pre-pare to remove the vehicle from the manhole, earlier this year. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
WHAT'S NOT WORKING?
There is a deep uncovered drain on Old Hope Road across the street from the University of Technology (UTech) at the intersection with University Crescent, which is posing a serious threat to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SITUATION:
The uncovered drain on the ultra busy thoroughfare is several feet deep and is stuffed with debris. The bamboo branches, sticks, plastic bottles and the other items in the open drainage are the only things pointing to the danger that lurks.
Earlier this year, on our way back from featuring the plight of residents of David's Hill district in Rural St. Andrew, the news team saw Balfour Gordon in a predicament. The 62-year-old contractor's Toyota Deer pick-up was stuck in the open drain.
Apart from serious damage to his vehicle, a female passenger had to be rushed to hospital.
Mr. Gordon explained that his vehicle came to a sharp and abrupt halt after the wheel plunged into the open drain.
In retrospect, Mr. Gordon was thankful that he was not speeding because the damage would have been worse. One man on the scene said that the drain had been without a cover for about four years.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
Since Old Hope Road is classified as a main road, it falls under the purview of the National Works Agency (NWA). Efforts to get a comment from the NWA were unsuccessful.
WHAT'S THE STATUS?
Mr. Gordon told The Gleaner yesterday that his lawyer was dealing with the NWA to recover the $268,000 he spent to get his vehicle up and running again. "Yes I looking to recover this," he stressed.
CONCLUSION:
Asserting that financial constraints have limited their ability to remedy a simple, yet serious situation of this nature would be absolutely ludicrous and unacceptable. The danger this open drain poses is evident to everyone except those responsible for fixing it. This is dereliction of duty of the highest degree. To the responsible agency, prove to the country, that NWA stands for National Works Agency, and not, 'No Works Agency'.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action.
Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Ltd., 7 North Street, P.O. Box 40, Kingston;
Fax: 922-6223,
Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email:tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.
