Dear Editor,

The National Works Agency has dropped the ball. One would have thought that along with the ongoing roadwork there would have been a plan in place to mitigate the dust associated with the construction work, especially for those of us who live in the area and are negatively impacted by said dust.

It seems it has become normalised to see citizens wearing dust masks during the course of the day to minimise the impact of the dust on their health.

The increase build-up of dirt and dust is a public health concern, especially so for those residents who have respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and sinusitis.

I am appealing to the National Works Agency to have a heart and send a water sprinkler truck to McArthur Avenue, which is located off Hagley Park Road, to keep the dust down for the residents. The only times the water sprinkler truck has come are on those occasions when a letter to the editor is published.

Why do we treat our fellow citizens like this? Is it too much to ask the National Works Agency to arrange for a water sprinkler truck to damp the road during the course of the day?

As a result of the ongoing work on Hagley Park Road by the National Works Agency there is an increase in traffic along the avenue and undoubtedly this has contributed immensely to an increase in the volume of dust and dirt. The result is residents have been inconvenienced not only by the dust bowl which has emerged, but also by the loss of utilities such as landline services.

No one is against the ongoing roadwork, particularly as this will improve the drainage system and widen the road network for the greater Kingston Metropolitan Area; however, there must be an attempt to strike a balance as it relates to the health of the residents. There must be a sustained effort by the National Works Agency to ensure that the sprinkling of the avenue occurs daily and throughout the day.

The ball is in your court, National Works Agency.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com