People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St. Andrew East Rural, Patrick Peterkin, is calling on the National Works Agency (NWA) to act with urgency to clear and reopen the main roadway linking Maryland to Woodford, which has been rendered impassable following landslides triggered by heavy rains on Tuesday night.

He said several communities, including Happy Gate District, Cambridge, Woodford, and Free Town District, have been affected.

Peterkin said the disruption has had an immediate and severe impact on daily life, with residents now forced to take alternative routes through Norbrook Hill, adding an extra 30 to 45 minutes to their commute. Transportation costs have at least doubled as a result, placing further strain on already burdened households. “This is not acceptable, and the people are feeling the pressure,” he said.

The PNP caretaker added: “We need a more urgent, coordinated response to restore access and bring relief to residents.” Mr Peterkin is also calling for the implementation of more durable, long-term solutions to address the recurring issue of landslides and road damage in the area, particularly in light of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

“We cannot continue to take a reactive approach. There must be sustained investment in proper drainage systems, slope stabilisation, and infrastructure resilience to prevent these disruptions from becoming a recurring nightmare for residents,” he said.

He assured constituents that their concerns will continue to be raised and that he will be pressing for immediate and lasting interventions to safeguard access and livelihoods in St. Andrew East Rural.