Linden-Soesdyke Highway dangerous

— Councillors call for road markings

Councillors of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have registered their discontentment over the absence of road signages and markings at certain parts of the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, as well as internal roads within the Linden community.
Expressing concern during a statutory meeting at the RDC last week, several Councillors made remarks regarding the issue. Apart from signs and markings, Councillors have bemoaned the lack of proper lighting to guide drivers at nights.
Councillor Douglas Gittens also slammed the Region 10 Road Safety Council, for not playing an active role in ensuring such issues are addressed.
“The Linden Soesdyke Highway is a death trap… meaning, you cannot see anything after a certain hour on that road. High beam, low beam, don’t matter. These guys putting LED lights now on their vehicles and it’s three times brighter than the normal lights,” Gittens said.
The Councillor, who served as a member of the previous Council, also pointed to the issue of trucks leaving the Linden community, which he noted sometimes “break down” in the middle of the Highway, and as such create hazards.
“We discussed in 2012, lighting of the Linden Highway, however the Government of Guyana stated that it was impossible due to the distance from Georgetown,” Gittens said.
Speaking on the issue, Regional Chairman Renis Morian pointed out that the Public Infrastructure Ministry had commenced a lighting programme on bridges along the Highway, however, the lights were reportedly stolen. Gittens, in response, argued that apart from lights, signage and markings may also be used.
“The roads are unmarked and you cannot see any of the speed signs”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Councillor Charles Sampson also voiced his concerns regarding lighting and road markings. He pointed out that more lights are needed to serve the area up to the Wisroc junction at Wismar, Linden.
It was noted that the area is relatively dark at nights. Sampson noted too that there were numerous street lights which were not working along Winifred Gaskin Highway, noting that the lights are the responsibility of Central Government. The Councillor further made calls for speed limit signs to be erected.
“I admire the Police for trying to slow down speeding cars, but what are the speed limits? Where are the speed limit signs? I never see a speed limit sign on the road… When you drive along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway it’s a shame. That road ain’t got no markings. If it’s raining and you coming through the Highway in the night, it’s just God’s mercy that could bring you through the Highway.
The Highway can be marked…Even in Linden, we got Winifred Gaskin Highway, Washer Pond road – no markings at all. Why is it so difficult for us to mark roads? Why can’t the Ministry mark the Highway? Put proper markings and proper indicators? ” Sampson stressed.
He added that it’s a “nightmare” driving at nights, especially along the Moblissa area where it is extremely dark. Sampson opined that once roads are properly marked, it will be better for drivers to see.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the Regional Chairman made a promise to write to the Public Infrastructure Ministry for support.