Residents from a Maraval community are living in fear that every step across the lone foot bridge connecting them with the wider public will bring them closer to serious injury or even death.
Yesterday, the residents explained that the infrastructure, located along 104 Saddle Road, is broken beyond repair and it is only a matter of time before tragedy strikes.
Some 20 families are affected.
According to 61-year-old Cherry-Ann Royer, the compromised structure has forced scores of residents to literally walk by faith and fear.
She said, “If I am crossing, I cross by myself and I still have to hold on to the both sides of the railing and pray to God the middle doesn’t fall. It is not comfortable, if you have an emergency in the night and you have to fly over there, you still have to take your time.”
Broken rails, collapsed metal braces and rotting beams are all signs of damage that underscore how perilous the short journey across the bridge can be.
For over a decade, 81-year-old Judy Bernard has been among those making the knee-buckling crossing over the corroding infrastructure. She explained that the metal structure has been “dismantling” over time, posing a severe risk to life and limb for those in the area.
“I fall on this bridge twice, the recent time was about three weeks ago and it is a good thing I didn’t break up any bones. I guess the parcels would have cushioned the fall. I got bruises on my shin, bumps on my hand, but I fell off here twice because there is no railing.”
Bernard explained that several attempts have been made to alert the area’s MP, Colm Imbert. The most recent approach to Imbert was in September, when he allegedly assured residents that it would be addressed.
“I would like him to come and see the problem that we have because when I was there at his office in September, he told the secretary who to contact, let them come and make a field visit and report back, it wasn’t done because we in December,” Bernard said.
Bernard said until the bridge is replaced, her fears are that it will crumble at the cost of a citizen’s life.
Christiana Joseph-Ward said her ailing daughter’s access to urgent healthcare is also in jeopardy, as manoeuvring the unsafe structure is a challenge.
“It is very hard to deal with these things and you have to get people to help you and if you don’t have people to help you, what will happen?”
Several attempts were made yesterday to contact MP Imbert for a comment on the concerns raised. However, he did not respond.
