Save this road from collapse

THE EDITOR: The Arima-Blanchisseuse Road is an engineering marvel. It traverses through the heart of our beautiful Northern Range, 23 miles long. But one cannot enjoy the journey as it is in a deplorable state and in urgent need of resurfacing.

The Asa Wright Nature Centre is situated in the vicinity of the eight-mile mark, the first four miles of which have been resurfaced. The four remaining miles to this world-renowned ecolodge are riddled with potholes which have turned into craters as the road meanders through the sloping christophene plantation.

On consecutive days, birding excursions are made to the Caroni Swamp, the Arena forest, the Nariva wetlands, and the Wildfowl Trust. After an exciting day of bird watching, the last few miles of the ride to the centre can be most uncomfortable as well as hazardous to our foreign visitors.

Given our financial constraints, it is unlikely that the four remaining miles will be resurfaced in the near future. The very least the Ministry of Works can do is to repair the sections that are real bad, in particular the quarter mile along the cultivated slopes. It is only a matter of time before this section of the road slips over the edge. I urge the minister to act with dispatch.

ISHMAEL SAMAD, Maraval