Letter of the Day | Install livestream screens on Bog Walk Gorge

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The daily uncertainty and fear that accompany travelling through the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine is alarming. It is no question that the natural beauty of the Bog Walk Gorge is nothing less than spectacular, especially as one enters from the Bog Walk end.

But using this route can become a great disappointment and loss of time if one becomes stuck in the gorge because of unforeseen conditions, whether they be natural or man-made. Natural occurrences, such as fallen rocks, trees, rain, rising water levels of the river or even the passage and effects of the recent Hurricane Beryl, are time-consuming, costly and dangerous for road users. Vehicular and pedestrians accidents are common occurrences in the Bog Walk Gorge, which often results in endless delays for thousands of road users who depend on this roadway on a daily basis.

Last Monday, no less than a dozen trucks and trailers were left at a standstill in the gorge as a result of another big unit that had broken down on the same roadway and was blocking the road. Certainly, this would have caused much delay and frustration for the drivers of these units and the travelling public who were caught up, especially those transporting goods from one end of the island to the other.

While commendations must be given to the improvement of the overall road surface of the Bog Walk Gorge, I strongly believe that installing livestream screens to give live feed of the the gorge is of absolute importance and urgency. These, once installed at both entrances to the gorge, would let the commuters know of the traffic situation there, and they can decide whether to take alternative routes. A simple notification, such as ‘Expect Delays’, would mentally prepare the commuters. While the use of the emergency gates at the both entrances to the Bog Walk Gorge is useful, but they alone may not suffice. Installing livestream screens at both entrances to the gorge would help the commuters to avoid being stuck for hours if there is a traffic jam.

KENISHA FACEY