WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Following a demonstration by disgruntled residents and taxi operators over poor road conditions in Hertford, Westmoreland on Monday morning, Independent Member of Parliament George Wright took swift action to alleviate their frustration.

Hours after the protest, Wright ordered a truckload of marl to fill the potholes, providing a temporary solution.

Wright stated that his calls to the National Works Agency (NWA) had gone unanswered, leading him to take matters into his own hands.

While the temporary fix addresses immediate concerns, the NWA is expected to commence more extensive work in the coming weeks.

Earlier in the day, Janelle Ricketts, NWA’s community relations officer told reporters that the Hertford main road in Westmoreland is one of the corridors being given active consideration by the National Works Agency.

“We are now in the final stages of the procurement process and we anticipate that in another couple of weeks, we will be able to make an award and also to commence the work along that particular stretch of roadway,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts noted that the thoroughfare has a drainage issue.

On Monday, residents blocked the road with downed trees, debris, garbage, old appliances, and vehicles to protest the deplorable road conditions.

READ: Residents, cabbies protest poor road condition in Hertford, Westmoreland

– Kimberley Peddie