MONTEGO BAY, St James

Apartment dwellers in the swanky Hobbs Avenue community in this resort city are livid over the failure of the authorities to clear a clogged drain, which has caused water to erode a huge chunk of the roadway.

Normally, the drain transports the water flowing from a stream in Norwood. However, according to the residents, since a recent heavy downpour the drain has been blocked with debris forcing a diversion of the water.

The residents are expressing fears that if the drains are not cleared soon, further damage will be done to the thoroughfare.

The stream also floods a section of the highway just above the Sangster International Airport, creating massive traffic congestion during peak hours. To make matters worse, Hobbs Avenue, which has always been a regular alternative route during traffic jams is now reduced to a single lane because of the erosion.

According to one resident, Simon Casserly, he has sought assistance from various local agencies to no avail.

“I have spoken with National Works Agency (NWA) who say they are not responsible… I spoke with Solid Waste Management, they say they are not responsible… and when contacted the St James Parish Council say they are not responsible,” a frustrated Casserly said.

Casserly further noted that he has not been able to contact his Member of Parliament, Dr Horace Chang, nor Councillor for the division, Noel Donaldson, who is also Montego Bay’s mayor.

However Dr Chang told the Observer West that the drain had been cleared about a month ago and stated that it needed to be redesigned and rebuilt.

“The water is coming from as far as Norwood, we are going to commence the cleaning of the drain by next week. However, the drain has outlived it’s usefulness,” Chang argued.