Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

Several business persons in the Bog Walk to Linstead corridor say they will not support a proposed adjustment to segment 2A of Highway 2000, which would have the toll road from Bushy Park to Ocho Rios running through sections of their community.

According to Barry Amos, president of the St. Catherine North Lions Club, it is unacceptable for the road to be rerouted from the proposed Worthy Park area to Moneague to now include parts of the Linstead bypass, which will be upgraded.

"To take the road west of Angels into Bog Walk and going through Mount Rosser, it is simply too much displacement of people's lives ..." Mr. Amos said.

Suffer loss

He told The Gleaner that it would affect the prospects of businesses if this new idea should go ahead, and persons in these areas would suffer loss through displacement.

He added that the former plan was more feasible as, while it would disrupt crops and other such lifestyle, it would be easier for persons to get back on track. He also said residents feared they would have to pay a toll like those living in Portmore.

Meanwhile Ivan Anderson, chief executive officer of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) said on Power-106 FM's Independent Talk on Wednesday that the changes to the road will affect the lives of residents, there is a plan to have full scale sensitisation and dialogue with persons living in the affected areas to determine the best way forward.

It was announced last week that work on the proposed toll road to Ocho Rios will start in October of this year. However Mr. Anderson said the work may start earlier in the difficult terrain of Mount Rosser.

The road is intended to make the journey to Ocho Rios from St. Catherine much easier, while reducing travel time.