the laying of a cable trench continues.

The trench is being dug by Island Construction for Belco and Cablevision cables and is presently at Shelly Bay.

Problems have held up the progress causing complaints from local residents.

Island Construction's Mr. Alan DeSilva said that he would not comment on the problems because he did not want to get into a "slanging match''.

Mr. DeSilva said he had not heard anything about a petition reported to be circulating in the area to protest the works, adding: "We have been praised by some people.'' A week ago an ambulance was involved in an accident when it was reported to have been allowed through the red light into the single lane next to the ditch, colliding with a car coming in the opposite direction.

Mr. DeSilva said that the ambulance should never have been in the area and its route should have been planned around the other side of Harrington Sound.

SINGLE FILE -- Traffic delays are expected for some time in the Shelly Bay area as problems continue to dog cable-laying work. Motorists have been asked to be patient while the work progresses.