Exercise more caution driving in neighbourhood, urges resident

Residents in Highland, St Thomas are appealing to motorists using the road in their district to be more cautious.

Residents explained that the road in their community was now being used as an alternate route to allow workmen from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources to carry out a road-widening project in nearby Stoney Gully. However, they said, motorists were traversing the area “dangerously”.

Ryan Williams who has been living in Highland for more than 30 years said: “This is a residential area and people traverse the road on a daily basis. They walk that road even late at night. For those of us who drive, we now have to be wary of vehicles. On more than one occasion I had to mash my brakes coming out the driveway and where I live is along the hill and it is as steep as Horse Hill [in St Joseph].

“Also, neighbours have been complaining of having to jump off the side of the road when cars are speeding coming,” he said.

Williams said that he understood that it could be an inconvenience for motorists to take a longer route to get to their destination but speeding through the district was not acceptable as “it was an accident waiting to happen”.

The resident added that he had complained to the authorities about the matter and while action was taken, he did not believe people were complying.

“We just want motorists to be more mindful and careful. But I think MTW needs to put up more signage because people seem not to be paying attention to the one sign they erected. Also, based on the pace at which the roadworks in Stoney Gully are taking, it seems our road will be used for three or four months. So this will be a greater risk to people in our neighbourhood.”

In a statement on Wednesday, MTW indicated that traffic coming from Dukes Road will be divertedthrough Highland to exit by the St Thomas Post Office.

The ministry instructed motorists to drive through Highland at a reduced speed as it was a residential community, adding that signage was erected to notify road users of the road closure and diversion routes. (SZB)