Dear Editor,
Would you buy a house built in a Walmart parking lot or on a freeway? I certainly wouldn’t. Unfortunately, that is what living on Keary Street is like now.
We bought our first home on Alberta Street in 1991 and then moved to Keary Street in 1996. I did extensive due diligence prior to buying our home on Keary and spent hours parked on the street to assess traffic and noise. The traffic on both Keary Street and Alberta Street was very similar and light. New Westminster has made a number of ill-advised decisions and changes that have destroyed the quiet and serene livability of Keary Street.
There have also been a number of traffic changes that have pushed large volumes of traffic onto Keary Street. One major error was “traffic calming” on main thoroughfares where the bulk of the traffic should be. All day there is constant traffic and noise. We hear engines roaring, horns honking, swearing, and doors slamming all day as people come and go, fight for parking, and set or cancel their car alarms. We can no longer open our windows due to constant noise. We are unable to find a parking spot near our homes due to people parking for businesses, SkyTrain and the hospital.
The most recent traffic counts show that Keary Street has an average of 1,620 vehicles per day. That is more traffic than Alberta Street and Simpson Street combined. When the parking circus ends around 3:30 p.m. Keary Street transforms into a freeway. This goes on for about four hours until rush hour eases and then starts again around 7 a.m. the next morning.
Recently, there has been talk of traffic calming for Alberta Street. As a former homeowner there, I empathize with Alberta Street residents. Unfortunately, the situation on Keary Street is far worse. Any action to limit traffic on Alberta Street will push more traffic to Keary Street.
We can’t take anymore. The entire area needs to have a reduction in traffic and the numbers prove Keary Street needs it most.
David Hughes, New Westminster
