Eroded section of Ridge Road 'an accident waiting to happen'
Now two years after Hurricane Irma struck the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017, one sports photojournalist, Dean H. Greenaway aka 'The Sportsman' has highlighted some hidden dangers behind the plywood barriers that protect motorists from veering off the cliff on one section of the road.
Hidden Dangers
In a video originally posted on September 23, 2019, in the 'Real BVI Community Board' entitled 'Hidden Dangers of the Ridge,' the concerned resident showed how erosion is taking place behind one of the barricades.
The video, attracting some 59 shares and hundreds of likes, comments and reactions, saw residents share similar concerns about the road, now labelled as dangerous.
One commenter Mel B. Lewis said, "I avoid the Ridge altogether... I burn gas on the flat ... yes." Another resident, Reynold Phillips, remarked, "Dean thanks for highlighting this. There are many more and we ask. I spoke in songs. Ah Who responsible. Who is paying attention? Who is to blame if something serious happens. God forbid. It's about time. Hope they can fix them soon."
According to Mr Greenaway, in the almost two-minute long video, "we have all seen these plywood around the road since hurricane Irma, they hopefully protect us as we drive by, but have you ever stopped and wondered what's behind?"
No Metal Rails
A yellow metal guard rail thrown off the side of the cliff lies untouched, now reclaimed by vegetation since Irma, "We gotta start looking into things like these, accidents waiting to happen," he said.
The section of the road in question is riddled with cracks and behind the plywood barrier there is a steep cliff, which continues to move closer to the centre of the road due to undermining.
One of the concerns raised was that motorists needed to use extreme caution on this area of the road as the plywood barrier could not prevent any vehicle, not even a motorcycle, from going off the cliff.
"This must be addressed, this is an accident waiting to happen," 'The Sportsman' said while further illustrating segments of the road giving way to elements such as rain and natural erosion.
Speeding motorists in the midst of the video added to the serious tone of the issue as it was being highlighted, "Can you imagine a car hitting that what will actually happen?" Mr Greenaway questioned.
Another social media used Jovanny Samuel remarked, "That's [a] danger for real, the people them need to fix that before things get worse."
12 Responses to “Eroded section of Ridge Road 'an accident waiting to happen'”
That's a lawsuit right there for the government, so they need to work fast.