GLASGOW, Hanover — Minister with responsibility for works Everald Warmington has revealed that the Montego Bay perimeter road is to continue through Hanover into Negril.

The minister made the revelation while touring several deplorable roads in Hanover Western on Thursday.

Warmington said the northern coastal highway that currently exists in Hanover cannot be considered a highway. He noted that with the instructions from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the designs to bypass the towns of Hopewell, Sandy Bay, and Lucea are at an advanced stage.

“We are doing the Montego Bay perimeter road or bypass. That is to continue all the way through Hanover, all the way to Negril,” stated Warmington.

“So, as soon as we complete the South Coast Highway — May Pen to Williamsfield perimeter road — then we will be addressing that highway from Montego Bay to take you straight across,” stated Warmington.

The minister noted that because the designs are not yet completed, he is unable to give the cost of the project.

“However, I can give the assurance that it is going to be done because it has the prime minister’s highest attention,” assured Warmington.

In the short term, the minister said “urgent attention” will be given to the Malcolm Heights road in the parish which can be used as an alternative route to bypass the congested town of Lucea. The minister said after seeing the conditions in the town and seeing the suggested road, he is now convinced that it can be used as a bypass.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Hanover Western (Jamaica Labour Party), Tamika Davis was happy to know that something will be done to alleviate the traffic congestion.

“We have the problem of traffic congestion in the town of Lucea and, as you know, with the developments in Negril and the town of Lucea itself. Lucea has changed and so have our needs, and it has outlived its usefulness. We can’t really, as it is now, contain the volume of traffic that we get on a daily basis, which is why I am so happy that the minister has seen first-hand the value of having Malcolm Heights approved as a bypass which will alleviate traffic,” stated Davis.

On the other hand, Warmington said attention will be given to the Lucea West River (Riley River), which was the source of flooding in the town on several occasions last year.

Meanwhile, the minister said the Chelsea Bridge to Cacoon, Cacoon to Davis Cove, and Green Island to Glasgow roads are to be rehabilitated.

The minister noted that after seeing all of these roads for himself and the need, he can now give Davis the assurance that these roads will be addressed, regardless of the cost.

“I can give her the assurance that as soon as I get back to Kingston and the estimates are done, that her concerns will be addressed because I will approve all of these projects — regardless of the cost,” stated Warmington.

The minister said these roads to be rehabilitated will be included in this financial year’s budget.

“As I said before, Westmoreland is no longer a neglected parish and neither is Hanover Western a neglected constituency. You have good representatives, and the minister listens when they ask. I will assist them to show the people of Westmoreland and Hanover that those parishes will no longer be neglected because they are as important as St Catherine is to me and Kingston is to everybody else,” said Warmington.

For her part, Davis said a number of these roads were neglected for years and she is now relieved to know that they will be given attention.

“They have been neglected for years, and it is good news for Hanover that finally we are seeing that we are getting the attention we have yearned for years and we will see good roads where everyone will benefit,” stated Davis.