ROSEMOUNT, St James – Driving through the residential community of Rosemount Gardens in Montego Bay, especially at nights, is considered dangerous by motorists. And with good reason.

The roads – especially Dahlia Street – are in a deplorable state.

Residents tell the Observer West that the condition of the road has been deteriorating for the past two years since flooding caused by heavy rainfall created a dangerous drain on one side of the road. With succeeding heavy rainfalls, there has been further land erosion.

According to the residents, the flood waters gush down from the adjoining densely populated community of Rose Heights, often bringing with it debris.

“You know how many vehicles have dropped down in it!” one resident exclaimed.

According to the resident, hapless vehicles have included a truck which was negotiating a bend at the junction of Daisy Close and Dahlia Street.

When the Observer West visited the community, debris had washed down and accumulated in mounds on Dahlia Street, Coronation Boulevard and other roads leading off. The widening drain on Dahlia Street measures over seven feet wide with depths of over three feet in some sections. For the most part, traffic along Dahlia Street has been reduced to a single lane.

The housing scheme was developed by the National Housing Trust but the trust said it handed over the roads to the St James Parish Council several years ago. The maintenance of the roads is therefore the responsibility of the Council.

Attempts to get a comment from the local authority were unsuccessful as all the relevant officers were said to be engaged in a finance committee meeting up to press time.