Part of the incomplete work on the Ross Hill drainage project that Mr. Skelton Cline pointed to as one of the key areas urgent attention in District 2. Photo: VINO

“Every tool within the government’s arsenal needs to be used for immediate repair of our roads.  Equally important, we need to commission a complete reengineering of the entire road system in the Territory and appropriate the capital to move with diligent haste to communicate the plans, commence and complete this necessary infrastructure work,” Mr. Skelton Cline said in a statement to the press.

He said such a move will also create job opportunities for the people, stimulate the economy and restore Public Works back to its rightful role of maintenance, repairs, construction of roads and bridges.

Claude Skelton Cline is calling for immediate repairs to the roads in District 2.

According to him since the passages of Hurricane Earl, Tropical Storm Otto and the October rains, the Territory especially the roads have been in “absolute disrepair.”

“Damage to our vehicles has accelerated exponentially, not to mention the unsafe driving conditions due to lack of proper emergency signage, only half/pieces of the
roads are drivable and unstable barricades around the breaches,” the District 2 resident stated.

Speaking particularly to the Joe’s Hill to Cane Garden Bay road, Mr. Skelton Cline pointed out that it’s the peak of the tourism season and asphalt is being dug up and removed from multiple parts of an already damaged roads and “no one has communicated exactly what is going on and when we can expect repairs to be completed.”

“And, has anyone stop to think or ask, is this not the same asphalt that we are forever using to patch and pave our roads with every 6-9 months, or until the next heavy rains ,only for it to be washed away again and again?  In this 21^st century do we not have other viable options available to us?” the community advocate questioned.

“Why are we being forced to drive in these deplorable and hazardous conditions?  Why are roads being dug up if there are no immediate plans to follow right behind and repair the surface?   Are we not deserving of some indication or communication as to the intent of our Public Servants and Elected officials?” Mr. Skelton Cline further questioned.

The District 2 resident said there is no shortage of concerns but there seems to him, to be a “shortage of collective will and strength to act and act now.”

“For months, Ballast Bay remains in disrepair, for months Cane Garden Bay has been left unattended too with drainage to nowhere except for what runs to the ocean without any filter.  For months, the sea wall has been lying in ruins and the road continues to be undermined.   Over a year now, the road closest to the ‘Wedding’ that enters into Ballast Bay from Cane Garden Bay is being undermined,” Mr. Skelton Cline pointed out to specific issues in the District 2 community.

Part of the road in Cane Garden Bay that is damaged and caving in. Photo: VINO

He further stated that the community had invited the Acting Director of Public Works Dr. Drexel Glasgow to share the plans and hear the concerns from the community but after confirming he will attend, Mr. Skelton Cline said Dr. Glasgow did not offer any excuse or explanation to this day.

He also claimed that for months the community have not seen or heard from its 2^nd District Representative Hon. Alvin J. Christopher.

Meanwhile, VINO contacted Hon. Christopher who said he had no comment at this time to offer.

In addition, Dr. Glasgow told VINO that he was invited to speak about the plans of the department at a meeting in Cane Garden Bay. He said he did try to contact Mr. Cline to let him know he couldn’t make based on the fact that he does not have the authority to give information on what Government has planned for the area.

“It is something that has to come from the Ministry of Communications and the Minister, it is not what Public Works is dong for an area but what government is doing for the area,” Dr. Glasgow informed VINO

The public works head further informed of the recent contract that Government has signed with BVI Paving to fix the roads and noted that the roads in question are part of the priority areas that will be fixed first.

He assured while the roads may not be fixed as quickly as it should, they are going to be fixed.

On February 4, 2011, Government signed a $1.9M contract with Mark Simmonds of BVI Paving to jumpstart the infrastructural road network on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

It was revealed at the signing ceremony that the roads identified will have asphalt overlying which is hoped to endure harsh weather conditions in the future.

The entire road network project is estimated to cost Government approximately $15M, and areas identified for phase one include portions of roads in Virgin Gorda especially in The Valley, Cane Garden Bay to Road Town over Joe’s Hill; the road in the vicinity of the Jehovah Witness Church in Hunthums Ghut to Great Mountain, Brewers Bay and the Sea Cows Bay area. Phase two will see road repairs from the Queen Elizabeth Park Bridge to H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

“I consider it a very important contract as we have to make sure that at least the major roads are in good condition for the residents and tourists to use, after the storms and floods we endured…I have travelled from Long Bay to Balsum Ghut and all the roads in these communities were badly damaged,” Premier Ralph T. O’Neal had stated at the ceremony.