Access to Antigua and Barbuda’s main waste disposal site is set to improve following the government’s decision to repair the deteriorated roads leading to the Cooks landfill.

The site, a key hub for the disposal of a wide range of waste — from worn-out tyres to obsolete electrical appliances — has long been difficult to reach, with drivers complaining about the physical strain of the bumpy journey and the costly wear on their vehicles.

Hundreds of vehicles use the route daily, transporting refuse for disposal, and many operators have said they would avoid the trip if they could because of the poor road conditions.

After years of public complaints, the Ministry of Public Works has awarded a $900,000 contract to Royal Design Amir Kurani to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of the access roads.

Public Works Minister Maria Bird Browne said the upgrade will not only ease the toll on vehicles but also improve efficiency in waste management operations, benefiting both the community and the environment.

The works are part of a wider government effort to enhance infrastructure and are seen as a long-awaited step in addressing the challenges faced by waste management operators.