No sidewalk solution yet for Charlottetown’s Buchanan Drive
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
A P.E.I. group is hoping to collect official help for a sidewalk alongside the hill on Buchanan Drive between Walmart and the HomeSense and Greatest Purchase parking tons.
Fusion Charlottetown is hoping this can encourage these accountable to make the world safer for individuals who aren’t travelling in automobiles.
“There needs to be a greater resolution to what’s taking place there now,” mentioned Fusion Charlottetown president Sarah Outram. “Individuals are getting harm making an attempt to stroll by means of there and it’s not remotely accessible.”
At present, the slim street is extensive sufficient for two-lane visitors, however there isn’t a shoulder, and the pavement is edged with cement curbs. There’s an unofficial path to both aspect, however they’re unlit and get muddy in moist climate. The uneven floor is roofed in snow and ice all winter. Not too long ago indicators appeared that learn: “Harmful unmaintained path – use at your individual threat.”
Nerve-wracking for walkers
Karan Goel walks the hill almost day-after-day to get to and from his job and lessons on the College of Prince Edward Island. SaltWire Community caught as much as him whereas he was ready for the bus within the shelter within the Walmart car parking zone, which is situated close to the intersection of Buchanan Drive and Sandstone Highway.
“That will be nice if there was a sidewalk coming down, both aspect,” mentioned Goel. “It’s fairly arduous to come back down the slope in winters as a result of it’s slippery.”
He mentioned he walks on the pavement as a result of it’s not protected in any respect to attempt to navigate the snow and dirt beside the street.
“It’s tougher to stroll when it’s after 6 p.m.,” he mentioned, referring to the darkish winter evenings. “You all the time want to ensure the automobiles coming down are seeing you.”
Cecilia Williams, who can be with Fusion Charlottetown, mentioned public transit use is rising.
“However it needs to be protected and accessible public transport if we wish folks to make use of it and proper now, that hill is just not protected or accessible in any respect.”
Privately-owned land
The street and land adjoining are owned by Sensible Centres. SaltWire Community contacted the pinnacle workplace, however nobody returned the decision to reply questions.
“We imagine there needs to be a push from, not simply the general public, however our elected officers to make a change right here,” mentioned Outram.
When SaltWire Community contacted the chair of the general public works committee, Coun. Julie McCabe, she had town’s communications division ship this e mail: “The Metropolis has no remark because the land in query is personal.”
Ward 5 Coun. Kevin Ramsay mentioned he is aware of residents are annoyed and that he has seemed into the problem greater than as soon as throughout his time on council.
“That’s all personal property. We had that dialogue with residents. They wished one thing there for the final 4 or 5 years,” mentioned Ramsay. “The one ones that may do it are the those who personal that property. … We will’t power folks to place it in.”
Ramsay mentioned he requested the general public works division to contact the corporate final winter however there was “mainly no response.”
“If Sensible Centres wish to work with us and cost-share one thing, that’s all the time a risk down the street,” mentioned Ramsay. “I definitely would like to see a sidewalk there. … On the identical time, you may’t put one on personal property.”
Alison Jenkins is a reporter with SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. She will be reached at [email protected]
