The Editor, Sir:

I just read the article by Phyllis Thomas in The Gleaner (August 30) regarding the collapsed bridge in Harbour View. I am a resident of Harbour View and all I can say is expect worse to come.

Yes, the bridge is old and out-dated and should have been replaced using the money collected from taxpayers. But there is another problem.

There is a man living in the riverbed close to the Pre-mix factory compound who collects garbage from people's homes and often dumps them in said river bed. On any given day, late evenings or early mornings, he can be observed transporting all sorts of garbage heading to the riverbed. The police cannot claim ignorance.

Garbage

I am sure the pile-up of garbage contributed to the destruction of the bridge. On the other hand, the people who have captured land in the hills on both sides of Harbour View have also contributed to the problem.

They have built houses without plans and there is no structure to channel water coming from their 'communities'. I am pretty sure there will be landslides and some of those homes will end up right into the riverbed - it's just a matter of time. Look at Harbour Drive when it rains; where do they think the garbage, sand and stones come from when it rains? My guess is Bay Shore Park. And what is the Government doing about it?

I am not home at present, but my heart goes out to Jamaica in general.

I am, etc;

CONCERNED RESIDENT

Harbour View