Adson Bryan looks outside his restaurant at the entrance to Rum Lane where residents claim for over eight years they have been subjected to deal with the drainage problem in order to get to their homes. - Andre Williams

Residents of Rum Lane in Kingston and business owners alike are complaining bitterly at the authorities for not addressing several complaints about two bad drains in the community.

The drains located at the intersection of East Queen Street and Rum Lane, according to the residents, have been deemed improper and hazardous for several years, spanning a period of eight years, while both political parties were in power.

THE STAR was escorted to the area to view first-hand the real-life encounter these residents and business owners complain constantly about.

While on site, our news team spoke with Adson Bryan, a resident of the community and restaurant owner.

He expressed his disgust stating, "This is causing a strain on my business as the stench is unbearable ... my restaurant is my livelihood so that I can function, a it mi live off. I use to bail away the water and each time it cost mi like $1,500 to pay people to clean it, and within 30 minutes the water settle again."

THE STAR was told by residents that because of the drain problem mosquito breeding has been enhanced, coupled with other diseases and illnesses that is likely to occur.

Another resident, known as Dino, gave us his take. "When di cars dem drive through the dirty filthy water, the water is carried on the wheels of the vehicles to further up in the community ... It get serious now and something need to be done about it," he said. "A little girl coming from school last Tuesday evening and drop in the water because she was trying to clear way for a bus to pass ... all a blind man drop in it last week, there is no where to walk and mi feel it for the elder folks in the area, who have to walk all the way round to avoid it."

The residents say if the relevant authorities did not acknowledge their concerns this time around they will be staging a peaceful protest.

Efforts to speak with councillor for the division, Ann-Marie Morrison, proved futile as repeated calls to her cellphone went unanswered.

A representative from the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, said the agency is aware of the drainage problem, however they could not ascertain how long it existed.

Calls to the cellphone of Town Clerk Errol Green went unanswered.