Gross road negligence

The Editor, Sir:

In respect to yesterday's article 'Ford in Harbour View will be restored soon', I would like to make the following comment: The problem is gross negligence, dereliction of duty, and lack of respect for the safety of our people by our local and central governments. The Harbour View residents should enter a class action lawsuit against the Government to make sure they do what they are supposed to do.

The article incorrectly states that there is a ford by that bridge, as in Yallahs; it is actually the mouth of the Hope River. When you dig below the former bridge, you will find retaining walls similar to McGregor Gully. Because it is a coastal community, redirection is not a solution.

Prior to the last Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government there was regular desilting and removal of debris in the river bed to prevent blockage and overflow during rainy seasons. Years before the hurricane took out the bridge, the Jamaica Defence Force had to rescue persons in a home that floated down to the Caribbean Sea.

This catastrophe could have been avoided, at minimal cost, with regular maintenance. But we Jamaicans feel we must not do regular maintenance of our roads, gullies, river, and facilities, but wait for a tragedy to occur. We can stop this by making the Government pay stiff penalties.

I am, etc.,

RICHARD G. WILLIAMS

rgwilliams007@msn.com

Plantation, Florida