Street widening

Press, 24 December 1988, Page 12

Street widening

Sir, —On December 11, Strickland Street residents learned, via the mailbox, that the City Council is to build a roundabout at the intersection of Strickland and Milton Streets. This is commendable. However “... the council plans to widen the road north to Brougham Street and south to Somerfield Street,” in the process wiping out the homes of older folk unable to rebuild, and seemingly legalising the 80 km/h speeds used by BeckenhamCashmere residents speeding to and from town. This is not good enough. The council’s own trucks also do 70 km/h-plus to their

Milton Street depot when knocking off. Mr Surtees replied to my last letter (May 12, 1986) on road widening: “It is not anticipated that this will occur physically in the foreseeable future.” The street should, in fact, be made a “go slow” route, as has been good enough in other areas of the city. — Yours, etc., LLOYD HABGOOD. December 11, 1988. [The City Engineer, Mr J. A. Ince, replies: “Your correspondent is correct in noting that a roundabout is shortly to be constructed at the intersection of Strickland and Milton Streets. Both of these streets are minor arterials and Strickland Street,

the narrower of the two, has had a widening designation on it for many years. The widening of a street does not carry with it any entitlement by motorists to drive faster than the legal speed limit. It is believed, however, that such widening for a minor arterial such as Strickland Street would carry more benefits than disadvantages. I do not think that people living on Strickland Street should become too anxious about the widening proceeding, since it is not likely for some years. Nevertheless the council is always willing to discuss particular problems if they arise. Also, because of the street’s minor arterial nature, it is not possible to treat it as a ‘go slow’ route.”]