MANDEVILLE, Manchester — A wave of public outrage has erupted in northwest Manchester, with local residents and taxi operators staging impassioned protests against the deplorable state of Somerset Road. The crucial thoroughfare, which serves as a vital connector for multiple communities to Mandeville, has deteriorated into a hazardous pathway riddled with potholes and damaged surfaces.
The central point of contention is the alleged role of a local quarry operator in the road’s destruction. Protestors and local MP Mikael Phillips assert that years of relentless use by overloaded trucks from the quarry—carrying concrete mix and heavy machinery—have fundamentally compromised the road’s integrity. These vehicles, they claim, routinely spill concrete which weakens the surface, creating unbearable dust and unsafe driving conditions.
Phillips, the Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western, issued a formal statement condemning the lack of action. He revealed that numerous reports have been filed over several years with various state agencies, including the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the municipal corporation, and the Ministry of Mining, all to no avail. He emphasized that the quarry operator must be compelled to take financial responsibility for repairs, arguing that it is unjust for local taxpayers and residents to bear the cost of damage caused by a profit-driven enterprise.
During the protests, frustrated taxi operators voiced their economic and safety concerns, highlighting the severe wear and tear on their vehicles and the government’s failure to regulate the licensed quarry. Some also accused quarry trucks of illegally dumping garbage on the roadside, compounding the environmental nuisance.
The protest culminated in residents using debris to block the road, a dramatic gesture underscoring their desperation for official intervention. As of Monday, the quarry company had not responded to requests for comment, leaving the community’s demands unanswered and tensions high.