At last there appears to be some movement on fixing The Valley Main Road which, for decades, appeared to have been on the backburner, despite its importance as “a transportation grid” in Anguilla’s town centre and long-held capital.
Already in a flood-prone low-lying area, between two lines of century-old mahogany trees, the road is grossly-undeveloped, notwithstanding that it is surfaced. A notable drawback is that it becomes almost impassable for traffic, and pedestrian travel, on heavy and persistent rainy occasions. A case in point was the downpour, following tropical storm Laura, which flooded the middle section of the road.
Word about the planned new approach to fixing The Valley Main Road, has come from the newly-appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Mr. Hadyn Hughes. While speaking cautiously in the affirmative, he nevertheless pointed out that funding still remained a challenge to the present Government as in past administrations.
He told The Anguillian newspaper on Saturday, August 22: “For thirty years The Valley Main Road has been a road that has been an eyesore for Anguilla. Today is a rainy day and you can see the difficulties with that road – and I am proud to say that I have already passed through and got approval from Executive Council for the surveying, designs and drawings for The Valley Main Road. That is the first step to get this road done. After that, we will go back to Executive Council and will also go forward with the Carter Rey Boulevard.”
He continued: “I can’t give you a date when that will be done, but I know that the procurement arrangements will soon be undertaken for the surveying and engineering for The Valley Main Road – and the Carter Rey Boulevard as well.
“It is something that is important not only for aesthetic reasons, but for economic reasons. This is part of our town centre and we have a vision to develop it. One of the reasons I assumed the responsibilities for Infrastructure is that I always believed that if you have someone who has the political will to get things done, and you go through the right process, and follow the law, you should be able to get it done.”
Minister Hughes added: “While financing is an issue, I have also been able to secure the funding for the procurement, surveying, designing and engineering for the Carter Rey Boulevard.”
It is understood that Mr. Hughes recently met with a number of persons in the Ministry of Infrastructure to discuss the island’s overall road development programme. The Valley Main Road is definitely on the priority list.
The development of roads is usually a very costly undertaking; and, with scare funds in these times of financial strain, it will be a challenging experience to raise the necessary capital. The saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way” gives, hope however, to even the most challenging situation.
