Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Residents of Saut d’Eau Road, off La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz, say their lives and properties are in jeopardy, as a massive boulder remains perched on a hillside which overlooks the main access road into their community.
Residents fear that heavy rains could loosen the soil on which the rock sits, causing it to roll onto the road, damage their homes or lead to serious injury.
Guardian Media visited the area over the weekend and spoke with residents, who said the problem began earlier this year when the owner of the property began clearing the land by removing bushes and soil.
Residents explained that the boulder rolled from the top of the hill a few metres down, closer to the roadway, stirring fears that the slightest disturbance could cause it to roll again onto nearby houses, passing vehicles or people.
“It’s Saturday morning, usually there are people out and about and children running around.
“But since that rock slipped down we try to limit our movements. I myself take the long way around to avoid walking on this particular road because you never know if it could roll down again,” said a resident, who asked not to be named.
One resident said it was not the fault of the property owner, as the parcel of land was part of an abandoned quarry where loose rocks and slabs were fixed on the hillside.
She said the property’s owner was not from the neighbourhood.
She added that while officials from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation (SJLRC) performed several site visits, residents were still scared as there was no clear indication that the rock could be removed.
“We’ve seen them coming from time to time. Sometimes they take pictures or measurements or whatever, but we haven’t been told exactly what they intend to do.
“It’s very nervous for us because this is the main access road here. If that rock falls onto the street, we will be cut off,” said the resident.
Speaking with Guardian Media, chairman of the SJLRC Richard Walcott said he was only informed of the situation last week and was working to address the issue.
He said as the boulder was situated on private property, the corporation’s workers would require the owner’s consent, which he hoped could be done by this week.
“The owner of the property gave us verbal consent to go onto the property and deal with it, but we were advised to get it in writing, which we will do,” he said.
“We will have our legal people draw up a letter, we will take it on Monday, our crew will go with it and hopefully the gentleman will sign the letter giving us consent and we will go in there and destroy that boulder.”
He said until the boulder is removed, residents should exercise caution along the road.