MP Rutley Visits UK Funded Coastal Highway

The highlight feature of Minister David Rutley’s trip to Belize was his tour of the Coastal Plain Highway. The road project was financed by his government in the UK, as well as the Caribbean Development Bank. Minister Rutley got an opportunity to meet with members of the communities in the area. They spoke with him about how the highway has improved their lives.

David Rutley

David Rutley, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom

“We are particularly proud of this achievement and the impact it has made on local communities and the thing I like about this visit is obviously seeing how the infrastructure developed. But then seeing the smile on people’s faces to see the impact it has had on their communities. So, that is something we are particularly proud of and it is good to see how the government and the project team were engaged with local communities to make the very most of the vitally important infrastructure project.”

Jason Altschaft

Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point

“It is great for them to actually see that we are using it and that we needed it. It is built for us, Mullins River and Gales Point. We have been the ones kinda stranded back there. If nobody was happy we are extremely happy, because we are now able to get kids to school on time. We don’t have to worry about flooding any more. We also have tourism and jobs coming in.”

Lismore Flowers

Lismore Flowers, Chairman, Mullins River

“In the earlier days we could get to Dangriga some days. We couldn’t cross the river flood. We got sick people, we couldn’t get out. But with this now we could move back and forth. Even with the school runs, the kids had to miss many days from school. With this we have no problem with it and we appreciate it and a lot of people come by to visit the village and different things.”