Dear Editor,

The Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) is an initiative welcomed by all of us who have had to ply the St Thomas roads as we go about our daily business.

However, while the roads are being fixed and we have had many uncomfortable moments in the process, I find it very concerning that there is no drainage system.

As I went about my daily business on Thursday, November 16, 2023 in the heavy rain, I noticed several places that are poised to fall back into disrepair in a very short period of time because there are inadequate drainage systems in place and as a result the water has settled on the freshly paved roads.

Some of these places include the Trinityville main road between the primary school and Donnette Empty's shop, where there is no side drain and the water runs on the road. Another example is the Church Corner area where all the water running from the hill on Summit Road culminates in a pool on the Church Corner main road.

I am not sure what the actual architectural design for the road improvement project looks like, but it seems to be quite deficient as far as drainage systems are concerned.

I am urging the National Works Agency and the engineers to take a look at this situation and treat it as a matter of urgency.

As a people, we in St Thomas have waited for far too long to get proper road infrastructure, and it is rather unfortunate that we are seemingly being short-changed in the process. I say this because if the roads are paved without proper drains, then in a matter of a few rainy seasons we will return to being placard-bearing residents demanding good road infrastructure.

I believe that taxpayers' money should be spent in a responsible manner that will ensure quality at the end of the day. Paving roads without proper drains is definitely not the way to go.

Kimberley Thompson

kimberleythompson81@yahoo.com