HANOVER, Jamaica – The National Works Agency (NWA) said repair work will begin on Monday on a section of the St James to Westmoreland roadway which is currently the scene of a demonstration.

“We are going to start today. We have mobilised the equipment. So, they are en route from the St James area,” stated the Community Relations Officer for the NWA’s Western Region Janel Ricketts.

Ricketts outlined the scope of work for the $17 million project.

“We are going to be patching some sections of the road and then for other sections that are in a worse condition, we are going to be removing soft spots, doing base work and reshaping those sections of the roadway and then asphalting them,” stated Ricketts.

“We also have drainage work to do through the construction of a V-drain and also curved and channel drain,” added Ricketts.

From as early as 4:30 Monday morning, residents mainly in Hanover who were later joined by passenger bus and taxi operators blocked a section of the roadway in the vicinity of Chester Castle in Hanover and Mackfield in Westmoreland.

The roadway is the main gateway between the city of Montego Bay to St James Southern, Hanover Eastern, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth.

The peaceful protestors used trees, old vehicles, appliances, debris and other items to block the roadway leaving students, tourists and people heading to work stranded.

The protestors say they will not burn tyres on the road as they do not want to make the situation with the road worse.

One of the protestors who gave his name as Cedrick said the police and the military are on location trying to clear the road but are having challenges as the residents are adamant that they will continue their actions until they get answers.

READ: St James to Westmoreland roadway blocked by protestors