Residents are being asked to transfer sections of private land to the Crown to allow for government-funded road paving works to proceed across Anguilla.
Infrastructure minister Jose Vanterpool said the move will help to ensure the roads can be developed as public thoroughfares using newly acquired chip-and-seal technology.
He made the comment during a press conference on 6 July, in which he reflected on a recent demonstration of the paving technique on Judge Gumbs Road in The Valley.
Anguilla Focus is not owned by shareholders or investors. Members like you help fund our independent work. Click here to support us from $4/month.
Vanterpool said following the successful trial, several people had reached out enquiring about the process to have roads paved in their communities.
He explained that, while the government wants to roll out the programme quickly throughout the island, there is a challenge when it comes to land ownership.
“Seeing that public funds will be used to develop these roads, there are some roads where if the entire road is public and owned by the Crown, we can proceed,” he said.
“But there are some roads where some of the sections have not been transferred to the Crown.”
Vanterpool encouraged communities to get together and approach the government if residents are willing to transfer small portions of private land for road development.
“As long as we can facilitate the process of the land being transferred to the Crown so that it’s a public road, and it can’t be blocked, then we as a government will do our part,” he said.
The minister said it will be a collaborative effort between the government and residents in Anguilla’s communities to see the project move forward at a good pace.
“If you, as a community, are willing to come together and give government the land it requires we are committed to developing those roads,” he said.
A chip-and-seal road, also known as chip seal or tar-and-chip, is a road surface created by spraying a layer of bitumen or asphalt emulsion and covering it with a layer of aggregate.
It is a cost-effective way to preserve older roads, seal cracks and prevent water damage compared to full asphalt overlays.
The government’s new chip-and-seal paving truck is expected to arrive on the island in the coming weeks.
Anguilla Focus has sought clarification from the infrastructure minister on whether landowners will be compensated for any transfer and is awaiting a response.
