Address traffic snarl on Spanish Town Bypass Road

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am using this medium to pen an open letter to the Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz.

Dear Minister Vaz,

I am using this forum to ask that you take an interest in the traffic flow on the Spanish Town Bypass Road and St John’s Road in St Catherine. Those of us who are constrained to travel on those two roads on a Saturday, en route to Dovecot Memorial Park or Meadowrest Memorial Gardens, often face severe traffic snarls.

Last Saturday, I was on my way to Meadowrest Memorial Gardens to show my solidarity with a family that had lost its matriarch. I was in traffic on St John’s Road for more than an hour and I had hardly moved. The traffic on a Saturday often moves slower than a snail’s pace on the Spanish Town Bypass Road and St. John’s Road.

Sir, it is my conviction that a sufficient number of traffic police would greatly assist in ensuring that people could get to Meadowrest Memorial Gardens and Dovecot Memorial Gardens II in good and reasonable time. Sir, if the police can’t release the number of persons necessary to do the job, then do not hesitate to involve the Jamaica Defence Force.

Some things need to be done, and with urgency. The traffic snarl is just too formidable. Sir, we cannot build a great Jamaica with dumb traffic.

Last Saturday, after being in my car for more than hour – having to endure a traffic snarl, I ended up making an about-turn and went back to my home. Thankfully, a colleague pastor who had gone ahead of me was able to perform the graveside rituals.

I really wanted to be at the graveside of the deceased but I could not endure the severity of the bumper-to-bumper traffic.

So, please, Mr Minister, do act on this problem and you will soon find that the motoring public will sing your praises.

REV MARK DAWES