Repairs at the Causeway could end up repeating the situation which swept four people to their deaths, claims Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.

She said work done early this summer had blocked an archway creating a damn-like effect.

"The water has no place to go but up, it's a dangerous situation.

"Some one is going to get killed."

She said East End residents and an experienced engineer had raised concerns.

In a letter to Works and Engineering Minister Terry Lister, Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said: "We owe it to the people of Bermuda and particularly the families who lost loved ones during Fabian, to ensure that the Causeway is safe for the longer term.

"You will recall that earlier in the summer, there were repairs being carried out which involved the packing in of fill in the archway under the causeway, near to the bridge.

"This fill was eventually washed away during the fury of Hurricane Fabian, resulting in the erosion of the structure, and the ultimate collapse of that area.

"I have been informed that by packing in the fill, the water from Castle Harbour, which would normally flow through the archways and under the bridge into Ferry Reach, was hindered in its path by the "dam-like" structure that was created.

"This had the effect of forcing the water up rather than through, thereby causing more flooding than would have been expected at the airport and surrounding grottoes, and also, served to have more force pounding the Causeway than might have occurred had the water been able to flow through more easily."

She suggested removing the fill and installing pre-cast reinforced concrete tunnels to create a safer long-term solution.

"I am concerned that by now replacing the fill we could likely have the same result that we experienced during Fabian.

"In this regard, can you assure the East End residents and other users of the Causeway that the repairs are safe, structurally sound, and have a reasonable chance of surviving winter storms and our normal weather patterns?

"It must be borne in mind that the Causeway is the artery into Bermuda, and we can ill-afford half measures that may compromise safety."

She said the shallow foundations into which the steel reinforcing rods were placed will not hold up to strong winds.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin suggested using boulders used for a breakwater to protect the Causeway.

She also said private firms working in round-the-clock shifts could have finished Causeway repairs more quickly and freed up Works and Engineering staff to work on other important areas such as the South Road at John Smith's Bay and McGall's Hill.

Mr. Lister said he was surprised Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin had chosen to release the letter given the public's support of Works and Engineering's effort to rebuild the Causeway.

And he questioned why Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin had chosen to leak the letter rather than continuing the post-Fabian spirit of working together. He said a response on the technical aspects of the letter would be prepared.