The Authorities need to revisit the long term plans for the Ocho Rios Development Road or, as we call it, the Ocho Rios Bypass. The original plan was that this road would provide easy and convenient passage to vehicular traffic going East, West or South and not wanting to enter the town of Ocho Rios. However, there are several openings that have now been made along the Bypass. In addition to that, there are several shops, houses and businesses that are mushrooming along the Bypass. In addition, dances are held along the Bypass and on these occasions, vehicles are parked in the vicinity of the dances, the highway becomes congested and we are back to traffic jams so that ultimately the purpose of the Bypass is defeated. The Bypass is very dark at nights as there are no lights along most of it. Many persons who used to run and walk along the highway in the very early mornings no longer do so because it is dark and unsafe to do so. The Bypass needs a pedestrian overhead bridge in the area of the old Pink House. The authorities need to bear in mind that the Bypass cuts the community of Buckfield into two. Before the Bypass one could travel by road from Old Buckfield over into New Buckfield. They can no longer do so. The overhead bridge would make it safe for pedestrians to travel from one side of the Buckfield community to the other side. The Pedestrian crossing that was placed in the vicinity of the old Pink House was never effective because it is placed in an area that is not ideal for a pedestrian crossing. It is poorly marked and the area is poorly lit and is very dark at night. Simply put, this pedestrian crossing constitutes an invitation to pedestrians to put themselves in danger.
The Ocho Rios Bypass is symptomatic of how the authorities have constantly failed to address simple matters before they become a tragedy. (blurb)
