Dear Editor:
Re: Get a grip on city congestion, Letters to the editor, The Record, March 12.
I quite agree with Mr. Kasper’s concerns regarding the actions of New West city council doing things that “promote congestion.” Over the last few years “traffic calming” measures best suited to side streets have been put on Sixth, 12th and Columbia streets and Royal Avenue, resulting in more congestion. When I recently suggested that, at least the curb extension be removed from Sixth Street so cars could turn right onto Royal instead of waiting with the others backed up for blocks during rush hour, I was told by city engineering, “Removing the curb extensions could attract more traffic onto Sixth Street.”
Where is it supposed to go instead? If every part of Metro did what New West is doing, it would be a nightmare.
This is a perfect example of what the Sauder School of Business at UBC identified as neighbourhood-level decision making contributing to regional traffic congestion. It’s not only Surrey and Coquitlam that are steamed with New West.
Has the city even bothered to check out how much traffic there is on Carnarvon and Queens now … through a school zone? It’s called “rat running” in the relevant literature and was predictable. When you put traffic calming measures on main streets, the side streets get busier.
You don’t see Vancouver “traffic calming” Oak or Cambie.
I quite agree, Mr. Kasper, Mr. Wright needs to get a grip. And, yes, “While we are at it, put in a four-lane Bailey bridge and call a truce with Coquitlam.” I’ll bet you that will be the result of the binding arbitration we’ve now been forced into because we couldn’t agree anyways. The only people who can’t seem to see that are on council.
Ross Gibson,
New Westminster
