National Works Agency (NWA) says its hoping to clear a major landslide at Arthur’s Seat in North Eastern Clarendon by tomorrow (May 16).
This is part of efforts by the NWA to address rain-related damage and incidents along a number of the parish’s major roadways as a result of heavy weekend showers.
The NWA says one team is working to clear a major road block along the Danks to Crofts Hill roadway at Arthur’s seat.
The roadway was blocked by a large landslide and fallen trees at the weekend following heavy rain which has been affecting the parish since Saturday.
Communication and Customer Service Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, says the landslide at Arthur Seat is a large one and will take some time to clear.
He says one piece of equipment was initially dispatched to the area, however, more equipment had to be sent because of the size of the landslide.
It is hoped that the blockage will be removed by tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, motorists are being asked to use the alternative routes from Pumpkin to Reckford or from Trout Hall to James Hill to access the towns of Crofts Hill and Kellits.
The NWA is also advising motorists who use the Aenon Town bridge, located along the roadway from Spalding to Cave Valley, to proceed with extreme caution as there is eight to nine inches of water on the bridge.
The NWA is also urging motorists to proceed with caution along roadways which are either partially blocked or reduced to single lane due to landslides including Sanguinetti to Coffee Piece; Main Ridge to Orange Hill; Top Alston to Silent River; Rock River to Ginger and Grantham to Trout Hall.
Roadways in the southern section of the parish have been affected mainly by flooding as a result of the continuing heavy rains.
The roadways from Free Town to Four Paths, Jacob’s Hut to Foga Road and Osbourne Store to Rhymesbury were significantly affected.
Meanwhile, National Works Agency teams were kept busy today (May 15) clearing three road blocks in eastern and western St. Thomas following overnight rain.
The roadways became blocked by landslides, fallen rocks, trees and silt as the parish continues to be affected by heavy rain for the second consecutive week.
According to Mr. Shaw, the roadway from Llandwey to Windsor Forest is blocked by fallen boulders at multiple sections at Richmond Vale, while the roadway from Grants Pen to Pamphret has been reduced to single lane at Pondside, Yallahs as a result of a fallen tree.
Mr. Shaw says the road from Morant Bay to Wilmington was blocked earlier today in the vicinity of Wilmington square but has been cleared.
The NWA says its team remains in the field conducting on going assessment.
The road agency is urging road users to exercise caution when travelling along these roadways and to be aware of falling rocks and debris as the island continues to be affected by unstable weather.