Over Life Threatening Condition Of Kissy Old Road… Residents Demand Urgent Action From Govt
Residents of Kissy have renewed calls for the Government and road authorities to urgently rehabilitate the Kissy Old Road, warning that more than 15 years of neglect have turned one of the eastern part of Freetown’s busiest transport corridors into a dangerous and deteriorating roadway.
For thousands of commuters, traders, commercial drivers, schoolchildren and residents who rely on the route every day, the worsening condition of the road has become more than an inconvenience. They say it has become a daily struggle affecting transportation, safety and livelihoods.
Speaking to Truth Media, a resident of the Old Road community described the situation as unacceptable, saying successive promises of rehabilitation have failed to translate into visible improvements.
According to the resident, the damaged stretch begins around Blackhall Road and extends through PWD, the Police Barracks, Brima Lane and other sections of the Old Road, with deep potholes, broken asphalt and uneven surfaces making movement increasingly difficult.
Commercial drivers say the road has significantly increased the cost of operating vehicles. They explained that frequent damage to tyres, shock absorbers, wheel alignments and suspension systems has become common because of the poor surface. Many argue that the extra maintenance costs are eventually passed on to passengers through higher transport fares.
Pedestrians face an equally difficult situation. During the rainy season, large pools of water collect inside potholes, making it difficult to judge their depth and forcing people to walk dangerously close to moving traffic. Parents say children travelling to school are particularly exposed to the risk of accidents along the corridor.
Business owners operating along the route also complain that the deteriorating road is affecting customer access and slowing commercial activity. Traders say delivery vehicles often avoid parts of the road because of its condition, delaying the movement of goods into nearby communities.
The Kissy Old Road serves as a vital link connecting several densely populated neighborhoods in eastern Freetown, and carries heavy traffic throughout the day, including poda-podas, taxis, tricycles, motorcycles and private vehicles. Residents believe its strategic importance should make it a priority for rehabilitation.
While the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority maintains its headquarters along Kissy Road and has previously carried out enforcement operations with the Sierra Leone Police to improve safety and remove roadside obstructions, community members insist that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. They argue that the greatest danger now lies in the collapsing physical infrastructure of the road itself.
Residents are appealing to the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Freetown City Council and other relevant institutions to undertake a comprehensive reconstruction of the corridor rather than temporary patchwork repairs.
They warn that without urgent intervention, the continued deterioration of the Kissy Old Road will increase accident risks, damage vehicles, disrupt economic activity and further burden the thousands of people who depend on the route every day.