All agree that the main roadway linking the buzzing commercial town of Santa Cruz to the thriving south coast tourist haven Treasure Beach, almost 20 miles away, is of absolute importance.

But rain-scoured surfaces, potholes at every turn and broken drains have rendered driving on the stretch through Lacovia, Burnt Savannah, Mountainside and Watchwell, a torturous experience.

Member of Parliament for South West St Elizabeth Hugh Buchanan, who bears most political responsibility, needs no reminding.

Three times since he became MP following the election of December 2011 he has faced major roadblock demonstrations — the latest coming in early November.

“To tell you the truth, I have been lobbying for the road to be fixed since I came into office,” Buchanan told the Observer Central.

He has received support from other MPs in St Elizabeth, including Member of Parliament for South East St Elizabeth Richard Parchment, whose constituency does not embrace any part of the road.

“That’s because he (Parchment) recognised the importance of that road to the entire parish,” said Buchanan.

For a long time the construction of the Burnt Savannah/Knoxwood Water Supply System prevented any thought of road repairs in Burnt Savannah and its environs. But that $59.6-million water project was completed in October, opening the way for road works.

Buchanan is hoping funding can come from the Chinese-funded Major Infrastructure for Development Programme. To that end, Buchanan said he has formally lobbied the National Works Agency and Transport and Works Minister, Omar Davies. Buchanan has also sought to involve Minister of Agriculture Derrick Kellier, since the road connects some of Jamaica ‘s most productive farming communities, and Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill because of the importance of Treasure Beach to tourism.

Buchanan said experience has taught him that patching and superficial resurfacing won’t be enough. Instead, he said, the roadway should be comprehensively renovated inclusive of proper drainage, so that the effect of the work will last. He recalled that his late father, Donald Buchanan, a long-serving member of parliament for SW St Elizabeth, had successfully lobbied for extensive resurfacing only for the improvements to be completely undermined within a few years.

“It wasn’t that it was patched, it was resurfaced. And now we are back at this stage, less than 10 years after,” he said.

And as a longer-term solution, Buchanan said Jamaicans should consider toll roads within parishes.

“The truth is that maintaining our roads is very expensive. Every time I drive on the Highway 2000 I feel good because there are no potholes. That’s because the roadway is well maintained,” he said.