WATCH: Residents protest road conditions, mount roadblocks in Westmoreland
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Disgruntled residents took to the Sheffield main road in Westmoreland on Monday morning and mounted roadblocks as they demanded better road conditions.
Residents used debris, boulders and tree stumps to block the main thoroughfare from Negril to Savanna-la-Ma in the parish.
One protester who identified herself as Melony told OBSERVER ONLINE that the children who travel the route to get to the Sheffield primary school are suffering the most as they have developed respiratory issues.
“Bronchitis a kill di pitney dem and pneumonia. None a Dem lungs nah work good. Wi wah road,” she shouted.
Another resident and taxi operator Simone CrossMcIntosh said she has been plying the route for 13 years and it is in a deplorable condition which forces many taxis to leave the children at the entrance of the road.
She said she is overly concerned as they are exposed to greater danger when they are left on the main road to walk that long distance to school.
“Di taximan dem nah carry di pitney dem guh a school dem a let dem off up yah suh fi vehicle lick dem,” a seemingly frustrated CrossMcIntosh told OBSERVER ONLINE.
“Wi wah road fi carry dung di pitney dem. When rain fall dem cyah pass di pond ding deh suh, a pan dung deh. Wi wah road fi di pitney dem a 12 year mi a duh pan dat,” she argued.
There is a heavy police presence in the area as they seek to restore order to the community.
– Kimberley Peddie