Dear Editor:
Re: 'Traffic chaos' around school raises concerns, The Record, Oct. 17.
I applaud the parents of Qayqayt Elementary for recognizing and seeking help with their traffic concerns.
As a driver who frequently drops off and picks up family daily from Columbia Skytrain station I am very familiar with the streets around Agnes and Carnvaron. They have become quite congested with kids running here and there. Their safety is paramount.
I then ask myself why don't we hear more from the parents of the students at Urban Academy?
The traffic situation around that site is as frightful if not worse. The 100 block Third Street is far more narrow than Agnes or Merrivale Streets. It is not uncommon for parents to turn on to Manitoba Street and then back out - in a hurry.
As well, drivers seem to slow down and stop along Third Street much to the annoyance of other drivers seeking to turn right onto Royal Ave. I sense most of the students do not live in the area and parents need to drive their children to Urban Academy.
The Urban Academy chaos has been exacerbated by the increase of local children attending Qayqayt who walk down Third Street to use the light at Royal Avenue to cross safely.
There is simply too much traffic in that small area - that area is a recipe for disaster.
To think that Urban Academy and its parents hopefully plan to expand the school adding another 200 to 300 students. Let's hope public perception is wrong and that development is not a done deal.
Whose ludicrous idea was it to buy an apartment building and jam hundreds more students into a small, tight residential area?
Would not Urban Academy's needs be better suited with a larger venue?
Kathleen Langstroth, New Westminster
