RESIDENTS of the mining communities of Region 10, including Coomacka, Nottinghamshire, Three Friends and Old England are satisfied with the extensive repairs done to their communities’ access road, but are disappointed that two main access bridges remain in threatening condition.

The road repairs commenced after an eight-day protest by residents prompted the intervention of Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock and junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

“Works on the road is completed, they ran the entire road, to where they finish is really nice,” Coomacka resident Dexter Harding said. Residents however were concerned about the state of the bridges.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Councillor and Community Leader, Dexter Harding said the deplorable bridges pose a serious threat to life and limb.

“As for the bridges, no movement on the bridges, we need to keep probing the necessary authorities to get some movement because if something happen we will get the blame,” Harding said.

During the ministers’ visit, the residents reinforced the need for urgent repairs to the bridges since it was close to collapsing.

“Our main focus now is our bridges. We know that once our bridges do, our roads can be done,” said one resident to the ministers.

They also revealed that $4.5M was paid to a contractor to do repairs to the bridges but he allegedly carried out substandard work and the situation was not improved.

With the impending rainy season, residents are concerned about whether attention will be given to the bridges as promised. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian also expressed concern over the situation, saying that he will again bring it to the attention of Minister Ferguson earliest.