A roadblock and demonstration by residents of Rose Town in Kingston last night forced the government to resume work on the Spanish Town Road, in the vicinity of Maxfield Avenue and East Avenue.

The roadblock, which was mounted shortly before 10:00 am, was cleared just after 11:00 o’clock after the demonstrators were addressed by a representative from the government’s National Works Agency (NWA). About two hours after workmen employed by contractor Y P Seaton were on site to start repairing the road.

Residents said they staged the protest as the road reconstruction project was halted last year and there was no sign of early resumption.

Yesterday they lit large fires and threw debris in the road, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

“I had to pay $10,000 for one hospital visit alone for both my seven-year-old daughter and wife who have suffered from severe asthma attacks since the road has been under construction and it was hard to get the money because hardly anyone braves the dust to visit my grocery shop which faces the Spanish Town Road,” said Paul Smith, a resident of Rose Town.

Other placard-bearing demonstrator also complained of new cases of asthma and breathing problems since the road project was stopped. He also complained that the community has been plagued with dust from the unpaved road from last year October.

“The dust still enters from the ceiling, even though we close the windows every day and the enclosure is not good for the children because we do not have AC or fan,” said Sheldon Henry, a teacher at the Highway Basic School. He also complained of a drop in class attendance, blaming it on the dusty, unpaved roads.

“Since the road construction, there has been a complete fall off in business, nobody wants to come sit and drink knowing they have to fight dust every few minutes. I have to clean the tables several time in the morning alone,” said Troy Huie, proprietor of the Cotton Club Bar.

The protest was, however, peaceful and residents assisted in removing the blockage after they were addressed by the NWA representative.

“These people don’t mean any harm; they just needed attention because the children at the basic school were suffering. Look how quickly and easily they removed the blockage once they are heard,” Detective Inspector Campbell said. Inspector W Francis nodded in approval.