Dear Editor,
A fatal road accident happened the night before last on the railway embankment at Chateau Margot, resulting in the demise of Abdul Zameer Abrahim, a 30-year-old joiner and resident of 259 Sixth Street Success who was hit by a Toyota truck when walking along the embankment road around 8.45pm. Editor, that accident could have been avoided if the authorities, ie GPL and the police Traffic Department, had heeded the repeated concerns, complaints and many reports made to them over the past four years by some local residents and concerned drivers of vehicles.
On the railway embankment at the junction of Chimney Road and the embankment highway there are several high, heavy-duty trucks parked too near the junction waiting to be repaired or serviced by a workshop which is close by. The big trucks parked there are less than 30 feet away from the junction, thus rendering it a blind spot. With less visibility at that point, that accident was waiting to happen for a long time.
In addition, Editor, GPL had a street light at that junction which gave illumination to the intersection, but unfortunately a greedy and unconcerned business person living near the junction illegally removed the street lamp and placed it where it was convenient for him, and inconvenient for pedestrians and traffic.
Many reports and complaints about this matter were made directly to the GPL authorities locally and at headquarters, as well as to the police, but no action was taken by them to remedy these illegal happenings. Even the local community special sergeant who lives nearby could have taken action befitting his office.
Many residents are hoping that following the accident, the street lamp would be placed in the correct spot and the owner of the workshop would see to it to remove all the large trucks that are parked illegally too close to the junction.
And as we are at it, regarding Chateau Margot, Editor, Chimney Road was repaired and resurfaced recently, and it is already sporting several large, deep potholes and damaged spots to the inconvenience of local residents. Mr Benn is a very busy minister to have the time to read this letter, but I hope that his secretary would bring this matter to his attention with alacrity.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)