THE EDITOR, Sir:
THIS IS to invite the attention of the appropriate officer in the Ministry of Transport & Works to the serious traffic congestion which occurs on Ardenne Road on weekdays when vehicles are "dropping off" children attending Ardenne High School and the two or more other schools situated on that road.
I write first as one of those persons engaged in the "dropping off" process but also as Chairman of the Dispute Resolution Foundation whose interest in conflict avoidance will be understanding. Under the latter portfolio, my concern is for a preventative mechanism to be put in place to avoid the possibility of physical encounters which are bound to result from the anger which some persons are showing at this congestion.
It seems that an available solution would be to reopen the exit on to Hamilton Drive. The reason for the closure of that exit seemed then to be the need to restrict traffic existing onto Trafalgar Road at its Lord Nelson Way intersection. Now that a left turn only is mandated by the construction of a two-lane carriage way with a separating median on Trafalgar Road, the possibility of traffic making a right turn unto Trafalgar Road has been eliminated.
I recommend this as a means of easing the congestion on Ardenne Road by re-opening the exit on to Hamilton Drive. It would also eliminate the need for traffic intending to go into New Kingston after "dropping off" to have to turn back on to Hope Road and thereby exacerbating the congestion.
Your urgent attention is solicited.
I am, etc.,
NOVAR P.
McDONALD
Hope Pastures
Kingston 6
