Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry has indicated that efforts are being made to examine options to avoid closing the Bog Walk gorge in St Catherine to finish pipe-laying work in the area by the National Water Commission (NWC).

The minister said after consultations on the matter earlier this week, the Ministry of Transport and Works will be examining all the alternatives, including having the pipe-laying team working at nights, to avoid closing the gorge road to vehicular traffic. He said only under extreme emergency would he authorise the closure of the roadway.

Only the National Works Agency (NWA) is empowered to effect road closures of the type being proposed by the NWC for the gorge road, and matters like the state of the alternative routes, which is the responsibility of the NWA and the Ministry of Transport and Works, have to be factored into any decision to close the thoroughfare.