Western Bureau — Taxi operators on the Maroon Town route in St James have been gradually withdrawing their services because of deplorable road conditions.

The four-and- half mile stretch of road from Point, via Maroon Town, to Flamstead is riddled with large pot holes, and both residents and taxi operators claim that their political representatives have ignored their pleas to have the road fixed.

“We have been getting promises from our political representatives, but to date nothing is happening,” said businessman Ervin McBean. Complaining that the road has been in need of “extensive repairs” for the past two and a half years, he told the Observer that last year the councillor for the area, Glendon Harris, promised that work would start in January. That date was later pushed back to April, but the work is yet to get under way. “Until now, we are still not certain when the work will begin,” McBean said.

In the meantime, residents are growing angry, particularly since taxi operators announced that they are contemplating terminating their journey at Summer Hill, approximately two miles from the usual designated point. These operators claim that the wear and tear on their vehicles have now become “unbearable.” In fact, both the operators and residents told the Observer that in its present state, the road was now only suited for travel by “donkeys.”

When contacted for a comment, Councillor Harris told the Observer that the contract to repair the road was signed on July 6, and that it was awarded to Leslie Chang. He said further that several procedures have to be observed before physical work can get under way. “The surveys, inspection, bidding and tenders for contract and so on, takes a little time,” Harris explained.

He, however, could provide no date when the work would begin. “The contractor has so many roads to do now, that it is uncertain as to when work on the road will start,” he said.

But community relations officer at the Works Agency, Stephen Shaw told the Observer that a schedule was presently being worked out as to when the work will start. He said the 2.8 miles of road from Maroon Town to Flamstead, fell under the Deferred Financing Programme, which has a $3.1 -billion budget for main roads in the parish of St James.

Shaw also said there were other St James roads slated to be repaired under the Flood Damage Programme. These include the Fairfield to Point, Kensington to Amity, and John’s Hall to Stapleton.