ISLINGTON, St Mary — Reluctant to stage a peaceful protest as it would disrupt the community and affect residents’ livelihood, a small group of taxi operators who ply the Islington to Port Maria route have instead opted to make temporary fixes to the road.

On April 19 they cleared heavy shrubbery that had shrouded sections of the pothole-riddled route. They also patched a section of Quebec Road.

Group spokesman Albert Johnson said the road, which has long been in need of repair, worsened with recent heavy rainfall that also resulted in overgrown bushes.

“The road is in a bad state as the bush is in the roadway and the potholes are not making it easy,” he said.

Johnson noted that the work was necessary.

“We are not looking for any money to do this but if it comes, so be it as we are all benefiting from what we are doing today,” he said.

The cabbie said he and his peers had reached out to their political representatives who promised that some assistance would be given, but nothing has materialised.

“That was almost three months [ago]. We have to do this as we are the ones that will benefit from what is being done now,” said Johnson.

He expressed gratitude to businessman Marlon Swaby who donated the marl used to patch the road. Now that they have done all they can to fix the road temporarily, Johnson and other cabbies are once again appealing for their elected representatives to fix it properly. They complain of the financial strain of frequent repairs to their vehicles.

“We need some attention as it’s costing us dearly,” urged Johnson.

— Ingrid Henry

A freshly de-bushed section of the road in Quebec, St Mary. The work was done by a small group of taxi operators on April 19. (Photo: Ingrid Henry)

Albert Johnson was the spokesman for the small group of taxi operators who de-bushed and patched a section of the road in Quebec, St Mary, on April 19. (Photo: Ingrid Henry)