Rasbert Turner, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/ Staff Photographer

Spanish Town

Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds believes that while the Portmore toll road represents development, it should have been built elsewhere, as it will be a burden on residents of the sprawling St Catherine suburb for the next 35 years while developers cash in on their investment.

The mayor also criticised the former government for delaying an increase in the toll charge for political benefits.

"The toll is due for review every six months. However, for political purposes, the previous government kept it for (one year) without any raise," Hinds told The Sunday Gleaner.

He continued that while development is necessary, it cannot be done in the way the toll road was developed, with increases in the toll charge based on the devaluation of the Jamaican dollar.

The recently elected mayor also said that the Government was studying the details of the contract with toll road operator TransJamaican Highway to see how best to address the imminent rise in the toll charge. Hinds, however, could not say what the new charge would be.