Put automated barriers in Bog Walk gorge

The Editor, Sir:

Since the Bog Walk gorge, as part of the island's road system will always be with us, it is time that its use be made safer. Like railway crossings, there should be signals and barriers to alert of danger and prevent entry when the river is in spate.

In this technological age, there is hardly any excuse why an automated system cannot be implemented with some minor modification at the entrances to the gorge.

It takes some time for the water to reach danger level and there ought to be data available that can be applied to determine how long. If the data is not available, then empirical formulas could be developed with the help of the University of the West Indies to determine this.

Trigger alert

Remote sensors installed at critical locations along the river to detect rate of flow and water levels would alert in due time that danger is imminent and trigger closure of the barriers.

There would be installed at the entrances, on the left lane, a controlled barrier that would auto-matically close preventing entry to the gorge but allowing motorists already in the gorge to exit. This closure would be preceded by flashing red lights within the gorge and at both entrances.

The remote signalling would also alert the nearest police station to both entrances to dispatch officers to take charge. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) would be notified by the police.

The implementation and maintenance of the system would be under the control of the ODPEM. Even a toll could be considered for its use to defray operational and maintenance costs!

This outline of a simple common-sense approach to an age old problem would improve safety in using the gorge.

I am, etc.,

Norman Lee

namronlee@rogers.com

Ontario, Canada