SASCHA WILSON
A fiery protest over the deplorable state of Grants Road in Rousillac, left scores of commuters stuck in traffic this morning.
Up to a short while ago, several areas along the road were still blocked, but they were being cleared by the police and fire service.
Local Government Councillor for Otaheite/Rousillac, Javed Mohammed, told Guardian Media that residents resorted to protest action after years of complaints over the road conditions were ignored by the authorities. Residents dragged debris across the road and set it on fire from around 3:30 am, today. The road was also blocked with mounds of dirt.
“For years residents have been pleading with the government to fix the road. It is almost impossible, trucks get stuck in the pothole. We have potholes measuring 17 meters by 17 meters and six inches deep,” he reported.
He admitted motorists were inconvenienced by the protest.
“Grant Road connects the Point Fortin highway to the Southern Main Road and travellers heading to Point Fortin and La Brea. So all the traffic had to be diverted to the Southern Main Road.”
He said an area along the Southern Main Road was also blocked, so that also contributed to the traffic.
Councillor Mohammed said he and the Councillor for Mon Desir (Derrick Bowen) have written several letters to the Ministry of Works and Transport but they have received no response.
“The residents are disgruntled. Something needs to be done,” said Councillor Mohammed.
