Darkness on Washington Boulevard a real danger

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE LONG-STANDING issue of darkness on Washington Boulevard in St Andrew has been around for more than 10 years, and we, the residents, are totally fed up with the lack of responsibility and the finger-pointing.

We just want all the streetlights on Washington Boulevard to be working; and not just for a week, and then the following week we are back in darkness.

We are tired of the constant accidents, because at least two persons, that I am aware of, lost their lives trying to cross that busy, dark road. Not to mention the robberies. It’s all too much. What will it take to get this resolved?

TVJ did two features where they showcased the dangers of the darkness on the road, and how it affects users of this road. After the last feature, there was a ‘social media war’ between National Works Agency (NWA) and Jamaica Public Service (JPS), both claiming that they are not responsible, and both blaming the other.

How is that helping, because, as usual, we are a country of nine-day wonders; the social media blame game had ended, and we are still in darkness. And the Ministry of Local Government, which is responsible for this sort of thing, was totally silent. Where is our property tax money going?

Also, there is a stop light at the intersection of Savannah Avenue and Washington Boulevard that is creating accidents because of where it is placed. It is on the right side of the intersection. So persons leaving the slip road on Savannah Avenue on to Washington Boulevard normally do not realise that there is a stop light, because the light is not in their line of vision, so they just drive out on to the main road. This is very dangerous and has caused many accidents. The stop light needs to be moved so everyone can see that it is there, and so stop and wait until it is safe to go.

I would really love the relevant agencies, ministries and companies to shed some light on this ‘dark’ issue.

COURTNEY FERGUSON