Scores of residents in Craigmill, Belvedere and Whitehall in Portland have blocked a section of the Buff Bay main road, as they demand a new bridge to access their communities.

The residents say they have had to use a riverbed as a detour route, following the closure of a bridge by the National Works Agency (NWA).

The NWA had said the bridge was not safe for commute.

One Belvedere resident, Desmond Freebourne said the residents will continue to block the Buff Bay main road until there is an assurance that a bridge will be erected.

He lamented that thousands of residents are marooned whenever the riverbed is flooded, which occurred yesterday (March 30).

Mr. Freebourne stressed that a new bridge is needed urgently as there is no alternative route.

Another resident, Yanique Larmond, in noting that it is dangerous not to have a reliable route to the communities, said she fears that in the event of an emergency, she or her family will be unable to leave.

Meantime, the NWA says plans are being made to get the necessary funds to erect a new bridge for the residents of Craigmill, Belvedere and Whitehall in Portland.

Communications Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw told IRIE FM news that the Agency is aware of the inconvenience caused to residents, but maintains that the current bridge is unsafe and is in a state of disrepair.

Mr. Shaw is pleading with the residents to be patient as efforts continue to procure the funds needed to erect the bridge.