The Editor, Sir:

The residents of Portmore should not have been surprised that the operators of Highway 2000 have applied to the Government for an increase in toll charges. The option to apply for a review of toll rates every six months is in the contract signed by the Government.

Clause in the contract

In fact, they should also be aware that there is also a clause in the contract that provides for a review every month if ever the situation arises where there is rapid devaluation of the Jamaican currency against the American dollar. The resident of Portmore needs to wake up and deal with the toll before it's too late. The citizens' groups are being restricted in their actions because the support needed on the ground is just not there from the community.

The toll road was not designed to ease congestion in Portmore but rather to earn revenue for the operators. We always were and always will be the cash cow for Highway 2000. The traffic congestion now being experienced on the toll road was inevitable as the supporting development of the surrounding roads was not carried out as promised by the Government.

Traffic jams

Traffic jams should not have a cost attached to them; traffic jams should be free. Sad thing is there is no alternative as the 'Mandela' is locked down under a regime of potholes and poor road surface. The residents of Portmore are caught in a 'toll trap'. They have no choice but to pay toll to get nowhere and the sad thing is it will soon cost them more.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON

Portmore Pines

St. Catherine