THE EDITOR, Sir:AGAIN JAMAICA is forced to face the annual bill of roadway restoration in the mountains of Cedar Valley, Hagley Gap, Mavis Bank, Robertsfield and surrounding areas.
By now it should be obvious that trying to maintain roadways in these areas in the traditional manner is futile, expensive and counterproductive.
All around the world in places such as Europe, Chile, India, Brazil, Nepal, Papau New Guinea, where similar challenges exist, they have abandoned the old wasteful practice of trying to upkeep hillside roads and have instead installed cable cars.
The upkeep of a cable car system for the entire area mentioned above would not exceed the running cost of 2 or 3 motor cars for an entire year.
It is now 12 years since I have been imploring Government to break with P.W.D. methods and get into technology that is more than 100 years old in places like Holland, Austria and Norway.
I trust that the source of this plea will not prejudice its chance of acceptance.
The introduction of cable cars in these mountains would boost tourism, assist with bringing services to the people such as health and hospital, attendance at school and the movement of produce to the market.
A public tender would result in a healthy response from European companies and governments.
I trust that this attempt to get our planners and technocrats out of their 'cocoon' will meet with a reasonable response. Jamaica will be forever grateful to you.
I am, etc.,
OSWALD S. SEYMOUR, J.P.
Managing Director
Caribbean Ltd
