Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Rural, has called for an urgent road maintenance programme to address deteriorating conditions of roads in her constituency.

Flynn, while making her contribution to the state of the constituency debate on Wednesday, said 10 main roads in her constituency have suffered severe damage following the heavy rains.

In light of this, she is calling for a timely intervention through a patching programme from the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for works, Robert Morgan.

She said a similar programme is in place for Lawrence Tavern to Cassava River, Tavern to Border, Rock Hall to Parks Road, Golden Spring to Mount Pleasant especially in Mount Airy section.

“I will ask again that we look into a maintenance bushing and tree-limbing program for rural communities. These overhanging bamboos damage the roadways by keeping the moisture in the asphalt and blocking the sunlight. These areas need constant repairs,” she added.

She emphasised that the Lawrence Tavern and Brandon Hill areas are where deterioration is seen most. She is recommending that de-bushing occur twice per year for those areas.

Additionally, she called for stricter enforcement from the NWA to ensure that the recommended 2-3 inches of asphalt overlay is done.