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Gov’t addressing hurdles to fix access road to Long Bay Beach

- Opposition Leader says grading of road not very effective
Government is in the process of getting authorisation to properly fix the access road to Long Bay beach. The road runs through crown land. Photo: VINO
The Long Bay beach on Beef Island has been growing in popularity with cruise tourists since the hurricane of 2017. Photo: VINO
The Long Bay beach on Beef Island has been growing in popularity with cruise tourists since the hurricane of 2017. Photo: VINO
Opposition leader Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) has urged the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration to fix the Long Bay beach access road. Photo: Facebook
Opposition leader Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) has urged the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration to fix the Long Bay beach access road. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A smooth ride on the access road to the popular Long Bay Beach on Beef Island is not likely in a short period of time as government has a hurdle to cross.

The main access road to the beach passes through land owned by the Crown, a revelation made during the question and answer segment at the continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on, Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

The question about the fixing of the road was posed by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), who in response said, "As a result efforts are being made for the necessary consents and approval prior to completing designs."

"Mr Speaker, in the interim Public Works Department will continue to grade the road as necessary to enhance the conditions of the road on a needed basis," added the Minister.

‘Current method not effective’ - Hon Penn

What was surprising is the admission by third term legislator Hon Penn that such information about the road running through Crown land is news to him.

Nonetheless, Hon Penn went on to suggest that the methodology currently being used to grade the road is not very effective.

Hon Penn alleged that the backhoe goes and does a little "brush up brush up…and we don’t have proper grading.”

He suggested that a proper roller is used to reinforce the structure.

Hon Penn further explained that with quite some drizzles, "We are back to square one and we know that beach now on a weekly basis we get thousands of people, tourists and residents traversing back and forth.”

The beach indeed became one of the most go-to beaches, especially by cruise passengers, as it was one of few choices up and ready in the immediate aftermaths of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

Hon Penn urged that some level of drainage be developed along the road as he requested, for a later date, more details on the ownership of the road.

Meanwhile, Hon Rymer had also spoken about an extensive road rehabilitation drive across the Territory and which would also includes sections of the East End communities represented by Hon Penn.

10 Responses to “Gov’t addressing hurdles to fix access road to Long Bay Beach”

  • Treasuary (01/03/2020, 11:46) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    China wanted to build the new airport! Why not call them in to fix the approach road to Long Bay Beach> They would not worry about government land ownership but would do speedy job, probably starting at six in the evening and finished by eight in the morning, Job Done
  • voter of the 6 (01/03/2020, 12:59) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    BUT WAIT WHERE ON EARTH HE WASALL THESE YEARS? ITS NOT YESTERDAY THAT ROAD WANT TO FIX.
    • Where was he? (05/03/2020, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I haven't heard a thing from Marlon since before Irma. After Irma, all the reps helping their people, Marlon off island.
  • Road Engineer (01/03/2020, 13:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is surprising that if indeed the access road to Long Bay Beach, Beef Island, traverses crown land and Hon Marlon Penn, R8 and a third term legislator who grew up in the area, did not know that the land was crown land. A third term R8 legislator should be steep in knowledge about the district, should he not? What has he been doing for at least the last 9 years? The spoke word is like a rung bell; both cannot be taken back.

    Moreover, if the land is indeed crown land, what is the hold up again? Is this an administrative, not an engineering and construction issue. Is the the tall pole in the tent design and construction? Are not roads designed, constructed and maintained all the time? Here is a tip. Just grading the road is not very effective. Though it is a dirt or gravel road and temporary, it must still meet all the minimum design and construction criteria. In addition to grading, the road should have a crown with proper cross slope, effective road and other drainage and proper proof rolling. Does this project have even a tinge of politics? C’mon!
  • one eye (01/03/2020, 13:31) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a good beach I see many locals up there
  • rewrsdffds (01/03/2020, 13:59) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really... fix all the dam roads
    • Pot holes (01/03/2020, 23:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I always wonder what does Public Works do. Why cant they fix all those potholes throughout the island.
  • Beach what (01/03/2020, 19:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fat Hogs Bay and Major Bay roads need fixing too
  • Huntums Ghut (01/03/2020, 20:14) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would you fix the road in Huntums Ghut first. Those pot holes go deep into the earth's crater.
  • resident (03/03/2020, 12:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fix the regular roads that we drive on morning and evening. Beef Island beach is only once a week. I can never understand why our roads have to look like we live in Haiti!!!


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