SAVANNA LA MAR, Westmoreland — Residents of this parish turned out in droves Thursday to work on projects, including the repair of a hole-filled sidewalk into which an elderly woman fell on Wednesday evening and had to be rescued by a group of children.

The sidewalk leading to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital is especially treacherous, and it is used by vulnerable residents daily.

“We have just received the estimate to repair the sidewalks,” Deputy Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Councillor Devon Thomas (People’s National Party, Savanna-la-Mar Division) assured the
Jamaica Observer on Thursday. “Work will begin on them next week.”

For Labour Day, which focused on access for disabled and elderly people, he and his team worked on completing a bridge in the community of Hatfield.

In the Cornwall Mountain Division, which was buzzing with activity as early as 6:00 am, multiple projects were undertaken. Led by Abigail Malcolm, the People’s National Party caretaker for the division, sidewalks and roads were cleared of shrubbery.

“We are trying to ensure pedestrians do not endanger themselves by walking in the road,” Malcolm told the Observer. “De-bushing allows drivers to see better and prevents accidents by keeping pedestrians off the roadways. A lot of children and elderly use these roadways, so it is important that we clear them,” she said.

That team also painted pedestrian crossings at Whithorn Square, Ferris Primary School, Coke’s View Primary School, and Whithorn Police Station. The police station was also painted and the property de-bushed.

The Labour Day parish project was the paving of a walkway from Cornwall Mountain Clinic to the detached restroom, and the construction of a shed that provides shelter from inclement weather. It was led by Councillor Dawnette Forster (Jamaica Labour Party, Cornwall Mountain Division). She pointed out that, as a result of the work done, individuals accessing the restroom will be able to do so without getting wet when it rains, and the pavement will allow for ease of access, especially for wheelchair-bound individuals.