In a matter of four months, residents of White Hill, St. Andrew, should be operating with a measure of comfort, as this is the projected timeline for Phase 1 of roadworks in the community to be completed.

Although Phase 2 is anticipated to continue beyond July, work under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project is progressing well.

George Holder of Design Collaborative, who is working on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Works, said the contractors, the China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT) were asked to submit a revised programme on White Hill.

“One, because they were some issues with regard to water in the sub-base and to determine where that water was coming from, and secondly being able to deal with the water. We haven’t been able to identify the source, but we have asked them to put measures in place to deal with that water, so we can get on with the work, which is – the preparation of the subbase of the road,” Mr. Holder said, as he spoke to the media during a site visit in White Hill on Tuesday.

He added, it is a particularly difficult exercise as they are residents on either side, with very little space. “It’s a matter of the contractor working in and among the residents trying to get the work done, trying to control the rainwater, and also accommodating the new services underground, which are water and natural gas. We have completed the water, but natural gas is still making connections along the way, [but] now it is time for the contractor to carry on with his preparation of the subbase.”

Addressing the issues with King’s Street, Mr. Holder noted there was a failure at one culvert, and subsequently after some investigations and redesign, there was another failure at a different culvert, due to excavation for gabions and a water leak.

He said this should take a week and a half to repair, noting that work started on Wednesday, March 6.  However, Mr. Holder stated the overall work at King’s Street is scheduled to be completed by July this year, weather permitting.

“The aim is to have the major works completed before the rains come, and to achieve that, the contractor would have to work double shift, late on evenings, and some weekends. With the cooperation of residents, we would like them to work most weekends but that has to be a discussion with Government, the contractor, and the residents.”

Mr Holder was speaking to the media following consultations with the emergency and sanitation services, regarding access to both White Hill and King’s Street, St. Andrew.  

He said: “What we are trying to do is to get ideas from the emergency vehicles and sanitation vehicles as to how they can best get access in the event there is an emergency. We have resolved that … for King’s Street.”

Mr. Holder added: “More hydrants will be placed for the Barbados Fire Service to utilise and the Sanitation Service Authority would only send smaller trucks, as the temporary road built was not designed for heavier vehicles.”

He assured residents that “in spite of the work going on in the main thoroughfare, they would not be deprived of any emergency services should the need arise”.

Present at the tour were representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Works, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Unit, the Sanitation Service Authority, the Department of Emergency Management, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Water Authority, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Ambulance Service and the COMPLANT team.

The Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project is funded by the Exim Bank of China.