Editor:
Before council minimizes emergency services egress and access along Glassford Road, think about the wild fires that swept through California, Lytton and Kelowna. Think about the floods that very recently affected the residents of the Sunshine Coast. The restriction of permanently closing this road will eventually change GPS mapping showing a “no through road” resulting in restricting rapid vehicle access (the GPS map will not indicate “knock-down bollards”) and could result in the loss of property and life. This is the main reason that the Transportation Association of Canada Geometric Design Criteria states a maximum of six residential dwellings on a cul-de-sac.
Surveys conducted by the town in 2013, 2018 and in 2021 and a legal petition submitted in 2022 all indicated that most residents do not want Glassford Road closed. Are the wishes of a few of the residents on Glassford Road going to count more than the wishes of those of their neighbours?
The proposed permanent closure creates two cul-de-sacs which violate a town safety bylaw and also does not conform to the Transportation Association of Canada Geometric Design Criteria, which specifically references emergency access and egress.
Council decided to close the road against the majority wishes and later decided to move the barricades with no public consultation.
Council has advertised that this is a “trial closure.” Why not another trial? How about a new location of the barricades?
Move the barricades to the north end of the intersection of Glassford Road and Dogwood Road. This would create a conforming cul-de-sac on Glassford Road from Truman Road south to Dogwood Road resulting in minimal traffic in the area of the local daycare. The closure would create a “T” intersection on Glassford at Dogwood, reduce the traffic on Blain Lane, reduce “cut through” traffic on Glassford Road and also assist in the removal of snow to maintain the proposed Active Transportation Route.
It really is a logical solution! Let’s try it!
Mark Evans, Glassford Road
