The large trenching machine which has reduced traffic on Seaview to one lane. Residents say the warnings placed around the vehicle are inadequate and it poses a threat to road users. (AM)

A DIGGING MACHINE in Seaview, St James, appears to be causing residents and other road users to fear for their safety.

The machine, which was digging a trench to lay gas mains in the area, apparently broke down on Friday and subsequently had to be left at the side of the road.

A concerned resident called THE NATION yesterday morning complaining that the light placed to alert motorists about the machine was not working and he could not be sure that workmen would be returning before tomorrow. A SUNDAY SUN team went to investigate and found that the light was indeed working, but was not bright enough.

Lawson Worrell, a resident, feared that there may be an accident before the workers returned to move the machine. "Men does come through here like Bushy Park – real hard. That [machine] break down yesterday (Friday) evening, but I believe the men won't be coming back before Monday (tomorrow)," he said.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said she got a surprise when she arrived home on Friday night.

"I got a drop home from work last night (Friday) and I just managed to see it. I was wondering what it was. . . I was not expecting to see this big thing in the road," she said.

When contacted, an official at Ajax Construction said the matter was being dealt with and the situation would be rectified by yesterday afternoon.