Dear Editor
The New Westminster sidewalks are finally getting cleared, however, a select few homes are just doing the minimum clearing, which is causing more danger for people who don’t walk or those with small babies and need to use a stroller.
I took my seven-month-old to the pool. I took two different routes and both had at least five houses who did not shovel the city walkway but they did their own. Or they shovelled just enough to walk but not enough to take the stroller through safely.
I had to go onto the road more than once (with vehicles around because of the time of day).
Those who didn’t shovel but put sand down were actually fine to go on. Not icy but a little bumpy, but manageable.
I have complained to the city about many different addresses. One house did just enough for one person to walk but I had to take the buggy onto the road, otherwise it would have fallen over forwards. Both sides of the “shovelled” area were halfway up my leg.
It’s a huge hazard, and everyone has had enough time to clear or make it safe. My brother has even broken his leg in ice this year, just walking to his car. I have slipped with my daughter in a carrier so I would rather take the buggy with all this ice.
The city needs to do more to get people to follow the law with weather like this.
Sarah Alicia Thomas, New Westminster
