The Editor, Sir:

As Jamaica embarks on this move to expand its tourism room capacity, there is something that is becoming an ever larger concern, that of access to beaches for the general public.

On a recent trip to Jamaica I noted the heavy construction activity along the Rose Hall corridor. While I embrace the economic benefits of these developments and note the environmental impacts, I could not help but wonder what the effect would be on community members who in the past, would have been accustomed to crossing the road and heading down to the beach. That access is now lost unless you can pay the US$200-300 per night that these properties will go for.

So far, we have been able to avoid physical confrontation, but with more and more of our coastline disappearing behind high walls and multi-storey properties, it will inevitably occur. We are currently seeing some of it with the proposed development of the Riu property in Mahoe Bay.

This would be the perfect time for the Government, or indeed the Opposition to put on the table a policy for either allowing public access to all beaches (which I suspect will be unpalatable to the hotel owners), or to reserve sections of the coastline for public beaches.

The cost of maintaining these beaches need not be a burden on government (local or central) revenues. Their maintenance could easily be paid for by access fees for bathers, or even better, by fees paid by vendors and watersports operators on the beach.

It is absolutely unfair that as Jamaicans, we cannot enjoy the beaches which by law is for the common good. It is time the politicians rectify this situation. It could be a very profitable move in this election season.

I am, etc.,

RICARDO SMALLING

ricardo.smalling@gmail.com

Barbados

Via Go-Jamaica