Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Plaine Champagne B103 Road starts at Les Mares and ends at Chamarel Village, and is approximately 13 km long. Several significant signs of distress and road edge failures were noted along a stretch of 1 km of the B103 road, specifically between Chamarel Rhumerie and Varangue sur Morne, which required rehabilitation and grading along that segment. A project for the upgrading of the road and slope stabilisation works was accordingly implemented by the Road Development Authority.

78 Works have been substantially completed and the road reopened to the public on 20 February 2025. I am informed by the RDA that while major construction works have been completed, there are some minor works and monitoring activities which are still ongoing. As regards road safety survey, I am informed by the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit (TMRSU) that a road safety audit is usually conducted in the context of the construction of a new road, to see whether road safety may be improved on the road prior to its opening. The TMRSU has further informed that in the case of the B103 road, the works comprise slope stabilisation along a small stretch of the existing road, and accordingly, a road safety audit was not required. However, a site visit was carried out by the TMRSU and several road safety improvement measures have been recommended namely, placing of handrails and guardrails which I am informed have already been implemented. In addition, as part of the project, the RDA has submitted road marking, traffic signage and other road furniture details to the TMRSU for approval prior to implementation. Given that the road is still being monitored jointly by the TMRSU and the RDA, a site meeting will be held by both parties by the end of March 2025 to identify additional safety measures to be implemented if required. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regard part (b) of the question, it should be highlighted that the road is heavily bounded by trees and vegetation. Prior to the opening of the road, the contractor on the project had carried out a first cleaning and trimming of trees within the one- kilometre segment of the road where the works were ongoing. The cleaning and trimming of trees along that stretch are still ongoing and will be completed by the end of this month. Only last Monday during the management meeting at the level of the RDA, I highlighted that I was not satisfied with the lopping of branches along B103 Road and requested the RDA to take urgent remedial actions. The RDA has accordingly committed to complete the cleaning and trimming of trees along the remaining section of B103 road very soon. Subsequently, this will form part of the ongoing routine maintenance programme by the RDA’s maintenance section.

The hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! VALLEE DES PRÊTRES, CHITRAKOOT & CAROLINE REGION – BUS TRANSPORT PROBLEM

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