IN JAMAICA: 'Mi don't think the road can get any worse' Commuters forced to walk for miles as protesters block Whitehouse main road

Tuesday, May 20, 2014    

WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — Students and hotel workers were among hundreds of commuters left stranded yesterday after disgruntled residents blocked several sections of the roadway in eastern Westmoreland to protest the deplorable road conditions.

A section of the road which is in need of repairs.

From as early as 4:30 am, irate demonstrators used huge tree trunks and other debris to block several thoroughfares from Belmont to Whitehouse in the parish. The roads from Beeston Spring and Petersville leading to Whitehouse were extensively blocked in several sections by trees, which the protesters used power saws to cut down.

The police worked feverishly to remove the numerous blockades, but protesters engaged the law enforcers in a cat-and-mouse game, restaging the roadblocks the minute their backs were turned.

The police, however, managed to clear the main road from Whitehouse to Belmont freeing up vehicular traffic in the afternoon.

Some workers employed to Sandals Whitehouse were unable to get transportation to work as all roads leading to the area were blocked to vehicular traffic.

Senior vice-president, Sales North America, Unique Vacations, Gary Sadler said the operations team was mobilised immediately to ensure that Sandals' guests, due to depart for the airport, were comfortable and that the protest did not negatively impact their visit to Jamaica. more