Village landmark Old House to be spared from demolition.

"I hope ways can be found to save it and strengthen it. It's time people took off their dark glasses to see what is happening to Flatts,'' he said.

The Government backbencher, who was brought up in Flatts, blamed heavy traffic for weakening the historic building.

And he called for trucks and containers to be diverted from Flatts through Middle Road.

The derelict property appeared to be on the verge of collapse last Sunday following recent heavy rain.

Police set up roadblocks and diverted traffic around the village via Store Hill after cracks appeared in the roof.

Men from the Works and Engineering department later removed the roof and the road was re-opened. Now engineers will examine the rest of the pink-painted building to see if it will have to come down.

Acting Works and Engineering Minister Wayne Furbert warned the building may have to come down if it was deemed unsafe.

Said Mr. Woolridge: "It's very, very sad to see what is happening. I have been advocating for some time that Government should take steps to stop heavy traffic going through Flatts.'' He believed vibrations from heavy vehicles had undermined the building.

Mr. Woolridge added the character of the Flatts Inlet had been eroded over the years.

"It would be a shame if the building had to come down.''