Simon rejects excuse for accident at Cades Bay Bridge tendered by Ministry of Works and brands it next-level failure
Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, the United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate
for St. Mary’s South, is rejecting the excuse proffered by the Ministry
of Works and Minister Maria Browne – that signage was stolen from
the Cades Bay Bridge construction site.
The Ministry of Works put out a statement on Wednesday, August
16, concerning a vehicular accident that occurred at the worksite on
Sunday, August 13.
Reportedly the driver was leaving Urlings and on his way to Old
Road when the car toppled over the roadway and into the
excavation for the bridge, since there was no barricade or traffic
cones as warning.
The Ministry claims that, for quite some time,
persons have been removing the signage and barricades that were
meant to prevent vehicles from going too close to the worksite.
However, this alleged issue was made public only after the accident.
Simon, along with a number of other people, does not believe this
excuse. As a matter of fact, the former area MP says that it was after
the mishap that two cones were placed in the area.
He notes that there is a pile of soil on one side of the bridge, and this
prevents persons coming from that direction from getting close to
the worksite.
Something similar could have been done on the opposite side –
from which the car went into the hole – to prevent such an
occurrence, Simon says.
Simon is questioning why it has taken four years to rebuild the
bridge, adding that the Antigua Labour Party Administration has no
love for the people of St. Mary’s South.
He says the blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of
members of the community is obvious and the people deserve
better.
In fact, Simon says, the Gaston Browne Administration is a next-level
failure.
The bridge was damaged in late November 2019 during heavy rain
that affected the entire island, causing flooding in certain areas and
damage to infrastructure.
Work on the bridge commenced quite some time ago but got
underway in earnest in March this year after a vehicle went over the
damaged roadway.
