Control Dust Challenge During RoadWork!

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Oftentimes agents of the State in an attempt to improve systems for the collective good of the citizenry overlook best practices leaving citizens inconvenienced. In recent weeks the National Works Agency has been conducting Drainage Improvement Work on Clunies Avenue, which is located off Hagley Park Road. As a result of the on-going work by the National Works Agency an unusual amount of dust and dirt have accumulated in the work area, and this is expected.  However, what is unacceptable is the fact that very little attempt has been made to cushion the effect of this dust and dirt nuisance. The result is residents of the both Cluines and McArthur avenues have had to live with this annoyance for the past few weeks.  Additionally, as the Hagley Park Road Improvement Project continues more traffic is now using McArthur Avenue which has amplified the problem. Is it too much to ask the National Works Agency to ensure that at regular intervals a water truck sprinkles the affected and impacted avenues in order to mitigate against this dust bowl?  While we recognize and appreciate the need for this critical road work especially since this will improve the drainage system not only for the area, but for the wider Kingston Metropolitan Area, there must be an attempt to strike a balance as it relates to the health of the residents.  The increased build up of dirt and dust is potentially a public health issue, more so for those residents who have respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and sinusitis.  As the State puts mechanisms in place to encourage and foster growth and development we must also be mindful of the needs of the residents. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11, which addresses the need to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, makes it quite clear that cities must be safe and as such we must do all within our powers to ensure this is so. I urge the National Works Agency to redouble their efforts in finding a solution to this problem.  
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo

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