Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern Dwight Sibblies, along with the National Works Agency (NWA), is being urged to take immediate action to repair a collapsed bridge in Pedro River, which links Clarendon and St Ann.

This call for immediate attention is coming from People’s National Party (PNP) candidates Kenneth Russell for Southeast St Ann and Wavell Hinds for North Clarendon.

The bridge, which reportedly collapsed in August following a truck accident, has left the area impassable, causing significant disruption for local residents. Travellers are reportedly now forced to take a much longer detour via Fort George, McNie, and Tate, resulting in increased transportation costs and extended travel times.

“The inability to use the direct route severely impacts families who need timely access to essential services. Residents now spend nearly 50 per cent more on transportation, as they must take multiple taxis. They travel to the St Ann end, walk across the broken bridge, and then take another taxi from the Clarendon side,” said Dr Russell.

Russell said this disruption has also hampered access to critical services, including healthcare, as many residents of Clarendon depend on St Ann’s Bay Hospital for medical care. “We are appealing for temporary patching of the alternate route to ensure smoother and faster travel for residents,” said Hinds. “The situation is untenable, and prompt action is required to alleviate further hardship for those affected.”

They are urging the government to prioritise the bridge repairs and implement at least temporary solutions to the deteriorating conditions of the alternate routes. Additionally, the PNP candidates warned that the current situation places an unfair financial and logistical burden on residents from both parishes, making it imperative that action is taken without delay.