ST THOMAS, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker candidate for Eastern St Thomas, Delano Seiveright, has called on Transport and Works Minister, Dr Omar Davies, to immediately intervene and address the concerns of protesting residents in Pear Tree River, St Thomas.

Seiveright also blasted sitting Member of Parliament Dr Fenton Ferguson for not being responsive to the residents’ concerns, and doing nothing to ameliorate the situation.

For a second straight day, the residents have mounted roadblocks in the area as they express frustration with the closure of the Pear Tree River Bridge for repairs. The residents are angry that a suitable and safe alternative route for pedestrians and motorists is not in place.

The situation for several weeks now has been a tremendous inconvenience to residents and schoolchildren, who are being directed to use an unsuitable alternate route, Seiveright said.

He said that following a tour of the area with Opposition Leader Andrew Holness in late July, the Ministry of Transport and Works announced a project to replace the bridge.

The new structure will replace the existing Harbour Head Bridge, which was erected in 1889 but has fallen into disrepair for over a decade and a half.

Balford Henry