People’s National Party (PNP) caretakers for St Ann Southeast and Clarendon North, Dr Kenneth Russell and Wavell Hinds, respectively, are calling on the authorities to take immediate action to repair the collapsed bridge in Pedro River, which links the two parishes.

The bridge, which collapsed in August following a truck accident, has left the area impassable, causing significant disruption for local residents, according to the caretakers in a release on Monday, adding that the collapse has forced travellers to take a much longer detour via Fort George, McNie, and Tate, resulting in increased transportation costs and extended travel times.

“The inability to use the direct route severely impacts families who need timely access to essential services. Residents now spend nearly 50 per cent more on transportation, as they must take multiple taxis. They travel to the St Ann end, walk across the broken bridge, and then take another taxi from the Clarendon side,” said Dr Russell.

This disruption has also hampered access to critical services, particularly healthcare. Many residents of Clarendon depend on St Ann’s Bay Hospital for medical care, and the longer journey has made accessing these services increasingly difficult, according to the caretakers.

Dr Russell and Hinds are urging the National Works Agency (NWA) and Member of Parliament Dwight Sibblies to address the issue with urgency. They are also calling for immediate repairs to the alternate roads currently in use.

“We are appealing for temporary patching of the alternate route to ensure smoother and faster travel for residents,” said Hinds. “The situation is untenable, and prompt action is required to alleviate further hardship for those affected.”

The caretakers are urging the government to prioritise the bridge repairs and implement at least temporary solutions to the deteriorating conditions of the alternate routes. They warn that the current situation places an unfair financial and logistical burden on residents from both parishes, making it imperative that action is taken without delay.