Work to fix a main Pembroke road that collapsed over the summertime will start in January, The Royal Gazette can confirm.

Repairs to a section of St John’s Road, which caved in after a crane fell down the embankment, were expected to be completed by the end of October.

The project has been plagued by delays, including finding a contractor and necessary materials, as well as the September cyberattack.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said that his ministry took “swift action” to address the problem.

He added that the project should be completed by mid-May, although he insisted that everything will be done to finish the repairs as quickly as possible.

Colonel Burch said: "The reconstruction efforts on St John's Road have been a complex undertaking following the incident where a crane toppled over an embankment.

“This incident prompted swift action from our team at the Ministry of Public Works.

“However, the repair process faced initial delays due to the necessary approvals and the subsequent procurement of specialised materials, which significantly impacted the project's timeline.

“Following the incident on August 7, our in-house team swiftly completed the design by August 10, and a request for quotation was promptly issued by August 15.

“By August 24, bids from contractors were received, and the process moved forward with due diligence.

“The effects of the cyberattack delayed the internal approvals, and the signing of the contract with the winning bidder, Sunrise Construction, occurred on October 26.”

He added: “The intricate nature of procuring crucial materials and seasonal constraints affecting worker availability means work is scheduled to commence in early January.

“While the estimated completion for these necessary repairs remains mid-May, all efforts are being made to expedite the process without compromising public safety.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to road users and affected residents due to the temporary closure and appreciate their continued patience and understanding.”

The road was closed to the public at its junctions with Marsh Folly Road and Langton Hill Road shortly after its collapse.

A spokeswoman for Saltus Grammar School, which relies on the road for access to the campus, said that the school worked with the ministry’s Engineering Department to manage traffic and provide access.

She said: “At the start of the school year, we shared a comprehensive redirection of traffic with our community and have been able to adjust our drop-off and pick-up procedures.

“We have had to deploy increased staff supervision to ensure student and pedestrian safety.”

The spokeswoman added: “The traffic redirection has caused disruption for Hamilton commuters and has increased traffic congestion significantly on neighbouring roads, including St John’s and Woodlands Road.

“This has had an impact not only for Saltus but also for schools and businesses in the surrounding area.

“We remain optimistic that the site issue will be addressed and that the road construction will be completed as soon as possible."

Rudek Beek, who lives down the street from the incoming project, said that the road closure forced heavy trucks through his section of St John’s Road.

He added that, while it did not cause any noise, the road was literally crumbing under the weight of the traffic.

Mr Beek said: “The roads just aren’t strong enough to support that kind of weight.”

He added: “You can see it all over Bermuda — the roads are breaking up because they weren’t made for this heavy traffic.

“When it rains, we get a big puddle because the road’s actually sinking down.”

The 53-year-old said that he noticed less traffic since the closure, adding that motorists probably avoided the area unless necessary.

He added that speeding was a big issue in the area, saying that many “come rumbling through here”.

A resident of Euclid Avenue, who asked not to be named, said that the lane closure brought more traffic through the area, particularly from the school.

The 72-year-old woman said that the closure forced her to walk to her bus stop by cutting through nearby St John’s Church.

She added that the area was dark, and admitted that she felt uncomfortable doing so.

The woman said: “I am very apprehensive about walking through there, but I have no choice.

“That goes for all the other residents that take the bus.”