NEW ROADS MANAGER

St Helena Government’s new Roads Manager, Benjamin (Ben) Hathway (photo attached) arrived on Island on Wednesday 23 July 2014 on a three year contract.

Ben is based at Donkey Plain and as Roads Manager is responsible for the entire road network on the Island. His role will include looking after the Island’s roads, managing the workforce, putting together operational programmes and working with other sections of the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate to ensure a joined up approach to roads management.

Ben will be building on the work of the previous Roads Manager, including slightly modifying some production methods, trialling other materials, inspecting roads and producing phased work programmes based on these inspections.

Ben explains:

“My main priorities over the coming weeks will be to understand key issues regarding the roads on St Helena and working to begin to resolve them. There is no quick solution and everything will take time but hopefully I can start to address the challenges we may have.”

Ben added:

‘Roads management on St Helena is vital. The main ways of getting around the Island are using private or public transport, and walking. The roads network on the Island, like anywhere else in the world, is central for business and social uses. It is therefore crucial the network is maintained to a good standard.’

Ben has 23 years roads experience and started his career as a road worker. He worked his way up to Roads Inspector and spent a number of years as a Quantity Surveyor. Prior to his arrival on St Helena, Ben was the Network Manager for Cambridgeshire County Council in the UK.

Ben concluded:

‘I’m looking forward to working on St Helena and serving the Island community – the people of St Helena have made me and my family feel very welcome and we are settling into our new home.

‘During the next few months I will be doing my best to understand issues affecting the roads on St Helena and will be happy to speak with anyone to hear their views.’

SHG

29 July 2014