Govt Promises to Address Josiah's Bay Road
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has pledged to examine the long-standing concern about the single access road serving Josiah’s Bay after residents raised safety and emergency access issues at a community meeting. He said conversations with adjoining landowners — including family members with property in the area — have already taken place and the government will take the matter forward for further consideration.
The government has committed to examining the long-standing concern over the single access road serving Josiah’s Bay, following direct questions from residents about safety and emergency access. Speaking at a community meeting for the Seventh and Eighth districts, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley acknowledged the issue had been raised from the floor and said it was already on his radar. "So that’s something that we’ll look at.
I’m also interested in that," he told residents, noting his family owns property in the area. A resident warned that Josiah’s Bay is developing rapidly and currently has "only one way in and the same way out," adding that "[if] there’s an accident, you are stuck — you can’t get out." In response, the Premier disclosed he had been in discussions with adjoining landowners. "Actually, I was in conversation with some other landowners, adjoining to my family up there, who wanted actually to open up a road," he said.
He did not give a timeline but indicated the issue would be taken forward for further consideration. Josiah’s Bay, on Tortola’s north-eastern coast, is a well-known surf spot and growing residential area. Over the years, residents and visitors have periodically raised concerns about limited access, particularly during heavy rain or road blockages that can hinder emergency response and evacuation.
The Premier also used the meeting to outline a broader plan to decentralise government services away from Road Town and into the East End and Long Look area. He said the government has placed funds in the budget to begin design work on a new clinic, a senior citizens’ home and other facilities intended to reduce pressure on central services. "The concept is to decentralise some of these government services, which are right now centralised in Road Town," Dr Wheatley said, adding that design funding for the clinic and senior citizens’ homes has been allocated.
What comes next for the Josiah’s Bay access issue will likely involve further discussions with landowners, community consultation, feasibility and environmental studies, and planning work before any construction. Residents can expect the government to pursue those steps while balancing safety, land rights and environmental considerations.
This report is based on comments made by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley at a recent community meeting and reported in local media.
Primary source: BVI News