Phillips concerned about stray animals on new Williamsfield highway leg

 

Opposition Spokesperson on Transport and Works, Mikael Phillips, is calling the government's attention to the danger posed by stray animals, particularly cattle, on the recently opened May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000.

 

Mr Phillips says he has received several reports and witnessed the dangerous situation, which poses a high risk of motor vehicle collisions and other mishaps along the high-speed corridor.

 

He has pointed to the non-completion of the perimeter fencing as contributing to the presence of the animals.

 

The opposition spokesperson said if the situation is not immediately addressed, it would be irresponsible to keep the highway open to motorists at the risk of serious injury or death. 

 

"If it is that we're going to be putting persons' lives in danger, then the prime minister himself and NROCC should have reconsidered the opening of the highway until the fencing has been completed," he said, noting the danger especially at nights since there are no streelights along the highway leg. 

 

He urged the government and the National Road Operating & Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) to quickly address the fencing of the highway. 

 

Mr. Phillips also sought to remind the municipal corporations of Clarendon and Manchester that they have a duty to impound animals which stray onto roadways. 

 

Apart from the issue of stray animals, the opposition spokesperson on Transport and Works highlighted other dangers and concerns raised by motorists about the new leg of Highway 2000, including inadequate signage. 

 

"I got a call yesterday where someone was on their way from St. Elizabeth-Manchester end into Kingston, where there were cones in the road with no apparent signage on what was happening or any warning prior to coming up to the cones, in a corner.... There are also concerns on signage coming from the Porus end," he said, citing a video being circulated of a motorist using the wrong side of the highway heading towards Williamsfield. 

 

In addition, Mr. Phillips said there are concerns about the unevenness of the road in some areas. 

 

He said the National Works Agency, as the country's main authority on roads, should assess the safety of the May Pen to Williamsfield stretch and make recommendations to the National Road Operating and Construction Company, which is responsible for the roadway.

 

 

The National Road Operating & Constructing Company Limited has said the contractor on the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, is addressing the vulnerable areas to include fencing.

 

NROCC said surveillance exercises along the thoroughfare have been significantly ramped up, so any further breaches can be quickly identified and addressed.

 

It noted that there has been an ongoing challenge of the theft of fencing and material used for fencing, which is affecting all sections of the highway network.

 

The police are investigating the incidents.

 

Meanwhile, NROCC said it has received footage of motorists driving on the wrong side of the May Pen to Williamsfield highway.

 

It said the police have been alerted to these breaches and they have put measures in place to address the issue.

 

The police have also indicated that they have increased their overall presence on the highway to address other breaches, including speeding.

 

A number of traffic tickets have already been issued.

 

According to NROCC, one crash has been reported, which was due to a heavily ladened vehicle sustaining a blown tire. No injuries were reported.