Dear Editor,

I procrastinated about writing this letter until I saw the Jules Gibson photograph on page 16 in your September 9 edition, showing the grassy sidewalk on Aubrey Barker Road in North Ruimveldt.

However, that is a long sad story and a disaster in waiting.

Some years ago, someone in their wisdom thought it prudent to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic on Aubrey Barker Road between David Rose Street (Shopping Plaza Bridge) and the Festival City ‘Exit.’ I presume a contract was awarded and the awardee commenced work by converting about five feet on the northern side of the road into a sidewalk. Although brilliant so far, the kudos stops here.

Whoever the awardee was failed to give value for taxpayers’ money, as the sidewalk is substandard, incomplete and of little use to pedestrians who continue to use the now five-feet narrower road. Who passed this sloppy work? The sidewalk which has a sprinkling of fine stones is usually overtaken with tall weeds which pose their own risks. Furthermore, night-time poses a real danger as well.

Between David Rose Street and High Palm Road (Tucville Bridge) only four dimly lit street lights challenge the darkness. Con-sequently, pedestrians in their dark clothes are in danger in the midst of the two-way traffic. Drivers using this road at night and facing oncoming bright headlights have to exercise care and attention to avoid accidents.

The solution is to fill the holes and resurface the sidewalk so that pedestrians can be off the road, as well as repairing or replacing the faulty lamps. Let us be proactive here instead of passively awaiting some disaster to shake us from our inertia.

Yours faithfully,
L. Dunsford Dickson