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Schools again disrupted as taxi protest in Westmoreland continues

Westmoreland Western MP Morland Wilson
By Lorraine Mendez    
 
Classes were suspended at Frome Technical and Grange Hill high schools in Westmoreland on Wednesday, as taxi operators protested for a third day resulting in staff and students having difficulty getting to school.
 
The operators who ply the Lucea to Grange Hill, Savanna-la-Mar and Little London to Grange Hill routes withdrew their services and blocked the Toll Gate main road as they protested poor road conditions.
 
Radio Jamaica News was informed that a DaCosta Cup match between Frome Technical and Green Island High had to be cancelled on Tuesday, due to the protest.
 
Schools were also forced to dismiss early Monday as a result of the action by the taxi operators.
 
Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Wednesday morning, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson, lamented the suspension of classes and disruption to commerce caused by the blocked roads. 
 
"The parents, teachers, students over the past few months would have prepared for this academic school year, only to be met Monday morning past with such a massive protest. And today we would have seen some continuation of that protest," he noted.  
 
"I would want to say to persons who are consistently blocking the road to please cease and desist. We are not saying you should not protest. We are saying don't block the roads. When you block the roads it [causes] major, major interference as it relates to commerce, business of persons and just general persons getting about their business."  
 
Mr. Wilson said work is ongoing to improve the condition of the roads in the area, explaining that the National Works Agency has identified funds for road patching.
 
He appealed to the taxi operators to allow time for the works to be carried out.
 


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