Calls for implementation of recommendations to ensure residents’ safety on Region 10 roadways in

May 26, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Urgency in the extreme sense of the word prompts me to write this letter, since I am tormented by the question of how many more have to die before the sober, cogent and eminently practical recommendations proposed by the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 are implemented to address the issue of reducing vehicular accidents along the Linden Soesdyke Highway, and especially within the township of Linden.

These recommendations and calls have been echoed by other residents publicly, but have still not resulted in the action that is necessary to ensure the safety of our roads.
When observed from a layman’s standpoint, it is obvious that speeding played a devastating part in the unfortunate demise of one of our residents in the latest fatal accident on this road. However, it is important to note that since this stretch of road that runs through the largest residential community in Linden, Amelia’s Ward, is designated to be part of the Linden Soesdyke Highway, the question of whether excessive speed played a part in this accident becomes debatable.

The Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 has, nearly three years ago, proposed that the ending of the Linden Soesdyke Highway at Linden be moved from its present location some two to three miles within the township, to the very verge of this town at Bamia.
This measure is becoming more and more necessary, given the rapid expansion of the Central Amelia’s Ward community.

Additionally, the very road where this latest fatal accident occurred is traversed on a daily basis by nursery school children going to and from the Amelia’s Ward and South Amelia’s Ward Nursery Schools, students attending the Amelia’s Ward Primary School and Linden Foundation Secondary School, as well as pregnant mothers and senior citizens going to the Health Centre.
Changing the designation of this roadway therefore, from a highway to a municipal road, would see a reduction of the permissible speed on this road of about 55kph, which would certainly impact positively on the use of this road and the ability of our police to effectively address the issue of speeding within the confines of the township.

The residents of this community therefore call on the government to expeditiously address whatever measures are necessary for us to see the implementation of this and other recommendations to ensure the safety of our residents on our roadways, as we also call on motorists and pedestrians alike to pay individual attention to their responsibility to use our roads safely.
Mortimer Mingo
Regional Chairman – Region 10