Area of road where Richard C.N. Branson ‘crashed’ now repaired
Coincidentally, one of the first roads to receive attention was one where British billionaire and VI Belonger Sir Richard was injured after allegedly hitting a pothole.
Mr Branson had posted on social media on February 11, 2024, that he took “quite a big tumble” while cycling in Virgin Gorda.
“I hit a pothole and crashed hard, resulting in another hematoma on my hip and a nasty cut elbow, but amazingly nothing broken.”
The area where Mr Branson fell, referred to as Leverick Bay Road, located adjacent the North Sound Superette, was repaired on February 22, 2024.
When will other roads on VG receive attention?
The quick repair to the roads; however, had residents questioning when other damaged roads on Virgin Gorda would be fixed and wanted to know if the road repaired yesterday was only because Mr Branson had an accident there.
Ninth District Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, who is also the Minister for Health and Social Development, told our News Centre today, February 23, 2024, that he was not sure where Mr Branson fell or when; however, he reminded that Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) did announce his road resurfacing initiative, and that “this is simply part of that.”
Hon Wheatley also assured that “All over will receive attention.”
Director of Public Works Department (PWD) Mr Jeremy W. Hodge also said he was not sure where Mr Branson fell, however, the road resurfacing was done by the Public Works Department.
“From late last year, the PWD had plans to carry out road surfacing repairs on VG but circumstances didn't allow. We still need to carry out resurfacing repairs in both North Sound and the Valley,” Mr Hodge stated.
See related article below:
Branson ‘crashed hard’ after reportedly hitting pothole while cycling on VG
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54 Responses to “Area of road where Richard C.N. Branson ‘crashed’ now repaired”
Sad
We knew that road was going to be fixed immediately. It look like Richard Branson or some other white person have to come fall down all over Tortola in order for us to get these roads fix.
OF COURSE, HIS LIFE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN US COL****D PEOPLE.
I see a set of citizens about to take the streets by storm with placards heading to the governors office and house of assembly for a vote of no confidence in the government. Both opposition and government playing with the people of the territory who elected them to work for the people. You all are sitting in your offices in ac, driving the best government rides, don't have to pay a penny out of you all pockets to a machine shop. Well fed, travel morning, noon and night and say you feel the pain of the people of these beautiful virgin islands and you can tell us you working for us. You all are fast asleep you all only know how to pressure the people and that's insane. The territory is in a mess any body see the people's man any where he was the real action man bring him back next election because seems like no one took a page from his book when the works was going on everyone else was asleep. Get outside with the people dont just take photo to face book take a community page of hurts and Facebook that. The territory is crying for help most things can be addressed with little money temporarily you all don't seem to care about the public.
Moreover, the political structure/system has hit rock bottom, for it is not producing a steady stream of candidates who can effectively serve as Premier and ministers. The territory has devolved into a state of Less and Lessness. The structure of the Westminster system share much of the blame; it is a flawed system in which people are elected through a popularity contest which often times don’t elect the best qualified candidates. The system employs the first-to- the-poll, a metaphor from horse racing, system to elect candidates; candidates are elected by a plurality, not a majority of votes cast, ie, not at least 50%+1. Candidates can get 20%, etc, of the votes cast and win an election. From this group of candidates a government is formed picking the supposed best from the lot to head ministries, which they may not know pullet from fowl or their @$$ from a hole in the ground about. But we expect them to excel. Nuts.
The deplorable, deteriorated road network is a clear example of Less, Lessness. The road network is poorly designed, constructed, operated , and maintained and repaired. It is a small road network that is approximately 70 lane miles, yet Public Works cannot effectively managed potholes. Every VI resident benefit from good roads whether they are drivers or not. For example during an emergency, public safety, ie, police, fire, ambulance, etc need good roads to respond quickly, not playing the game of dodging a pothole. Poorly maintained and deteriorated roads impacts resident’s standard of living and quality of life, increases road network reconstruction cost, contributes to accidents, poses a risk to pedestrians, INCREASES vehicle owners operating expenses, is stain on the national image. The twin pillars of the VI economy are financial services and tourism. The deteriorated, pothole littered, etc road network is not providing a positive visiting experience for tourists. The poor roads are robbing the territory of that important free advertising. Tourists go back home and talk about the poor roads, ie, deterioration, steepness, Potholes, etc. Premier, it is way past time to launch a comprehensive road network redesign,reconstruction, maintenance,etc initiative. Make it one of your legacies getting us out this state of Less, Lessness.
Mr. Branson nearly took a toll
When he ride in that big pothole
He could feel it down in his soul
Doesn't matter if he young or old
Our government playing with we
Thinking all ah we stupidy
Squandering all we tax money
Before they come and fix we country
Them politician don't have no shame
All they doing is playing game
Talking bout Hon. Vincent Wheatley
Who suppose to be representing VG
There is no accountability
So we need to get rid ah he
Next election lets vote them out
All them best is run they mouth.
Now we can expect legalized weed this year as Sir Richard the people's man has spoken.
Again I ask the question: Why do we pay taxes?
What does that say about those directors/engineers at Public Works? Or about the Ministers responsible for Road Works?
How can you pave that area and leave a pot hole that is very deep undone?