Negotiations resume to resolve construction impasse at Joe’s River Bridge

After months of being on pause, talks have resumed to resolve the Joe’s River Bridge impasse.

Gregory Nicholls, one of the attorneys representing Bathsheba, St Joseph residents, is reporting renewed movement toward bringing closure to the dispute in which Ullswater Investments Limited, a company owned by an Australian hotel developer, is building a concrete stone wall at the bridge which residents contend would block their traditional access to the riverbanks on both sides and to what is locally called the Teacup and Saucer.

“There have been some recent discussions between the lawyers trying to bring the clients’ respective positions closer together,” Nicholls told Barbados TODAY, adding that last week he wrote to the developer’s lawyers “to plead the case to them that the issues at dispute are not that far apart”.

“And if we can work to narrow the dispute, we can find a solution that allows the residents an opportunity to access the river basin on all sides and also access the Teacup and Saucer lookout point which residents had been doing for many, many years,” the attorney asserted.

He is adamant that the residents will not be backing down from the established right of access to the sites from which generations benefited.

In March this year, the High Court granted an injunction to temporarily halt construction of the controversial concrete columns at Joe’s River Bridge.

At that time, it was indicated that the Chief Town Planner and the minister responsible for granting permission to the developer could also face legal action.

However, Senior Minister responsible for Town Planning Dr William Duguid told Barbados TODAY that the state agency had not been served with any legal documents in relation to the matter. However, he said he was aware that the department and the developer were in negotiations.

(EJ)