A major project is underway to stop flooding on Serpentine Road in Pembroke.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira announced the project go-ahead this week, pledging that the end result would be a road that "is much safer to drive on under all weather conditions.'' The Minister said the go-ahead was given following pressure from the area's MP, Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she had received numerous complaints about the road -- from Midsea Lane to the junction of Rosemont Avenue and Serpentine Road. It had, she said, "suffered chronically from flooding and the effect of countless trenching projects.'' But she said after speaking with the Works and Engineering Ministry she understood that repairing the road, which is in "an entirely unacceptable condition, bordering on being dangerous,'' would not be simple.

"Run-off from the road will be directed to the drainage canals where possible, but in other sections of the road, storage pits will be built or refurbished to take the run-off,'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said.

"The Ministry of Works and Engineering informed me that because the land is at sea level, the curbing will have to be raised over much of its length to pitch the water to the canals or storage pits.'' The work is expected to be completed within six to eight months.

SITE INSPECTION - MP the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto watches as work begins on the Serpentine Road project.