Lamaha Gardens residents have petitioned Public Works Minister Juan Edghill to suspend proposed parapet works along Duncan Street, warning that replacing grassed areas with gravel could worsen flooding and remove greenery without addressing longstanding drainage problems.
The October 18 petition calls for surveying, excavation and construction to stop pending consultation and an independent technical review of the project’s drainage, environmental and safety implications.
Residents said they had not been consulted or provided with the project’s engineering justification, cost, detailed scope or maintenance arrangements.
The petition followed an October 17 notice from contractor R.R.T. Solutions and General Services advising Duncan Street residents that hard shoulder rehabilitation and construction would begin shortly.
According to the notice, the Ministry of Public Works awarded the company a contract for works between the Eastern Highway and Bel Air Road, with construction scheduled to begin the following week.
Residents said a surveyor subsequently informed them that existing grass parapets would be replaced with 10-foot gravel parapets. They are concerned about the consequences for an area where water already accumulates during heavy rainfall.
Speaking to Kiskadee Watch yesterday, resident Michelle Rockcliffe criticised what she described as a lack of meaningful notice and consideration for the community.
“This feels like some sort of vendetta,” she said, adding that Edghill frequently referred to Lamaha Gardens residents as a “privileged” group.
Kiskadee Watch was unsuccessful in obtaining a response from the minister.
The petitioners warned that removing grassed areas could reduce the ground’s ability to absorb rainwater, increase surface runoff and place further pressure on existing drains. They said worsening drainage could expose homes, vehicles and other property to greater flood risks.
Rockcliffe argued that drainage improvements and maintenance of existing green spaces should take priority.
“If they want to do something good to the neighbourhood and beautify it as their claim was, they need to get some proper sod, they need to improve the grass,” she said.
She also expressed concern about the loss of vegetation and its cooling benefits, questioning whether the changes would leave residents with additional maintenance responsibilities without a corresponding government commitment to upkeep.
Rockcliffe said residents already bore the expense of keeping their surroundings clean, while litter discarded from passing minibuses added to the problem.
She questioned whether longstanding use of the parapets for parking during public events justified the proposed changes, saying vehicles had been parked there since 1972. She described current conditions as “hell almost living there right now”.
The petitioners said the project did not address other longstanding concerns, including road safety, street lighting, security and traffic management.
They also questioned whether adequate assessments had been undertaken to protect underground water lines and other infrastructure during excavation.
According to the petition, the contractor’s notice was the only communication residents had received and came after surveying had already begun.
Residents are seeking a formal meeting with the ministry to examine the plans, discuss the engineering rationale, review environmental and drainage assessments and consider alternatives.
They also want access to relevant project documents, written notice of proposed works and a reasonable opportunity to provide feedback before decisions are made.
The proposed independent review would examine drainage capacity, flood risks, soil absorption, environmental effects, maintenance requirements and public safety.
Rockcliffe said the petition had attracted more than 42 supporters in less than 12 hours.
The petitioners maintained that they were not opposed to improvements in Lamaha Gardens but wanted the ministry to demonstrate that the works were necessary, technically sound and appropriate for the community.
Discussion