THE EDITOR, Sir:
It was the untimely and unnecessary death of a 'Rasta', who happened to work for The Gleaner, that prompted my last letter to you almost one year ago. This 'dread' was killed by a JUTC bus in front of the Victoria Mutual Building Society on Half-Way Tree Road.
At that time, I had complained about the exclusive bus lanes on either side of upper Half-Way Tree Road, noting the fact that adequate signs were not posted in the area, especially in relation to that particular bus lane, which runs against the 'tidal flow' of traffic and was, therefore, especially hazardous.
As a long-time resident of that area, I noted the extraordinary number of deaths and other traffic accidents directly attributable to the then traffic arrangements and made some suggestions that would alleviate this problem.
Little would I know that by year-end the Half-Way Tree Road traffic arrangements would change. Could it be that my suggestions were taken into account?
Now, Sir, I do not know how the overall traffic will be affected, but my gut feeling is that it must be for the better. More importantly, however, I have to put on record my congratulations to the relevant authority for the removal of these exclusive bus lanes. As stated, they were intrinsically death traps and were ill-conceived.
In addition, the fact that upper Half-Way Tree Road has now been converted back into four lanes going towards Cross Roads is bound to have a positive effect on traffic. The solution was so obvious, one has to wonder why such a complicated and convoluted arrangement was implemented in the first place, without regard for human lives and property.
I am, etc.,
EGERTON CLARKE
Capital Betting & Wagering Ltd
86 Half-Way Tree Road
Kingston 10
