To the Editor:
In response to Jason Parks article on August 31 regarding traffic calming measures on Hill Street and surrounding neighbourhood.
I agree with Mr. Janikowski and Mr. Cooke that the increased traffic in any neighbourhood caused by road work is hazardous, disruptive and dangerous. And I applaud the residents of this ordinarily lightly traveled enclave for beginning the process of piloting a traffic calming project, which, frankly, any of our downtown residential streets could benefit from.
But road work is a necessary evil. The domino effect of one road being worked on will affect all areas around, in this case: the hospital, pharmacy, Life Labs, numerous doctors, the Crystal Palace, Community Centre, Picton Fairgrounds and the splash pad. It’s a huge inconvenience to all of us who reside around the Main Street work. I realize Hill Street has had its fair share of construction and road work due to lines buried, plus the massive construction project they’ve endured of three large houses over the last year. But this neighbourhood also offers access to the Yacht Club, a restaurant and a church. It also benefitted from a refurbished parkette with picnic table and benches and a Spencer Street area with new interpretive signage at the water — all public spaces.
For those of us who live north on 49 and need to get to their doctor, their lawyer, their mechanic (all whom are down the town hill), without the use of Main Street, I feel we should be able use the shorter and more convenient of the routes without having to prove residence within this area.
On August 13, I was waved over by OPP at Spencer and Main by a “Ride” program (Officer’s word). He and his partner were stopping vehicles from driving into the area if one didn’t have a reason for being there.
The officer wanted to inform me that the residents of the area were upset that people were disobeying the detour signs and using their area as a shortcut. I explained I live north on 49 and I was headed toward Picton, so not disobeying the detour and this particular destination is more convenient because it’s down the town hill. I asked if it was illegal to use the public roads in this neighbourhood, and he replied it isn’t.
So I was “allowed through.”
It’s been another busy summer in Prince Edward County and visitors with really large RV’s coming through any neighbourhood streets are hazardous. Our municipal property taxes pay for the roads, the upgrades to parkettes, signage. These are public roads and tourists using GPS in most cases will be offered many routes.
Thanks,
your neighbour,
Katy Fillmore