A damaged roadway caused by heavy rains on Monday, February 9. - Photo by Josh Hunter

The collapse of a roadway leading into Mill Bank and Comfort Castle in the Rio Grande Valley of Portland, which has left more than 2,000 residents marooned, is creating undue hardships in those communities.

Residents are now fearful that the 2.5 feet of roadway left last Friday to either exit or enter the varied communities will disintegrate, bearing in mind it is still raining.

"The narrow strip, which is being used by residents, can crumble at any given time," said Jason Moore, resident and pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist District of Churches. "This walkway poses serious threat to students, the elderly and other residents. In the event that one should fall over the edge, they will plunge at least 100 feet on to piles of rocks," he added.

The breaking away of last Friday first started in 1998 during flood rains which ravaged sections of the parish, leaving dozens of persons homeless.

More than four lives were also lost during what was described as one of Portland's worst recorded flooding.

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Portland, Dr Donald Rhodd, who toured the area on Wednesday, told The Gleaner, he had repeatedly sought assistance to rehabilitate that roadway, but without any success.

However, the MP has expressed optimism that this time around the Government would give a favourable response to the plight being faced by residents in the various communities.

Recent deaths

"Thirteen of the 14 persons, who lost their lives in a truck accident recently were from the communities of Mill Bank and Comfort Castle," he said.

"That accident resulted in the loss of much-needed income for both communities, which is further compounded by the collapsed roadway. These are farming communities and residents are unable to transport their goods out to market," explained Rhodd

The MP was referring to an incident last December where 14 persons lost their lives. A truck transporting higglers to Coronation Market in Kingston had plunged over a precipice at Dam Bridge in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Rhodd noted that an alternative route would have to be opened in the interim.

He also pointed out that the process had to be expedited, as delays could result in mayhem and frustration throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

"I am now concentrating on getting food and other emergency supplies into the various communities. A technical team from the National Works Agency has assessed the situation and they will be submitting their findings to the minister," added Rhodd.

But while residents eagerly await the Government's response, another roadway in the Rio Grande Valley is also on the verge of collapsing.

A section of roadway at Kent, a district near Ginger House, has started to collapse.

And according to the MP, should that roadway collapse, it would mean that close to 5,000 residents would be marooned.