RESIDENTS OF WALTHAM Avenue, Kingston 13, blocked a section of Waltham Avenue for several hours yesterday morning in protest of what they described as bad road conditions in their community.
At about 10 a.m, about four hours after the demonstration began, there were less than a dozen protestors holding aloft placards, but the debris used to block the roadway was quite formidable.
The usual old car, an old refrigerator, tyres, an old stove, and even an antique bathtub, were used to send the message that the residents were serious about their demands for better road conditions.
The residents said they were tired of pleading with their Member of Parliament Dr. Peter Phillips, to get the road fixed, but nothing has been done. They said some taxi drivers are refusing to drive onto Waltham Avenue and they have to walk a long distance from the main road to their homes. The taxi drivers, they said, sometimes charge more than $100, twice the usual fare from downtown Kingston, because of the deplorable condition of the roads.
Sections of the roadway had large potholes, while another section had eroded entirely and had an uneven surface with large loose stones.
"If them no fix the road, it a go block forever," a female resident shouted. "We tired fi talk, and nothing no change, wi no jus' get up an' block road so."
THE STAR was unable to reach Minister Phillips for comment.
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