Residents of the River Road/ Darbeau area met on March 14 to discuss plans by the stadium contractors to build a new road running through the only public playing field in the area.

The residents are said to be opposed to the new road as it will destroy the playing field and also create a hazard for students at the schools in the area. Organised by the Parliamentary Representative for the area, barrister-at law, Peter David, the Public Forum was called when it was realised that the closure of the road leading from the bridge to Darbeau was permanent and that the contractors were seeking to build the new road through the playing field.

Several participants at the meeting were members of the Rangers Football team who said they have been at a disadvantage since the construction of the stadium. They said that this field was the only one left in the area for them to practice and have sporting activities.

M.P David who is associated with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) said that he was informed two weeks that the contractors at the stadium had decided that the road used by residents for as long as anyone can remember was to be permanently closed.

The parliamentarian stated that it was clear that those who designed the stadium had miscalculated and that the stadium fell into the middle of the road. David said that this situation was unfortunate as the residents were not informed that this was the case and it was only at the last minute that this problem was being brought to the attention of the residents.

The effect on the three schools in the area was also highlighted at the public forum. Residents felt that to have a public road run alongside three schools was not only a distraction for the students and teachers but it will also be dangerous.

A delegation was nominated to meet with the Minister of Construction under whose portfolio the stadium project falls, to discuss a solution to this and other problems in the area.