Editor:
Gibsons received a $675,000 for cycle infrastructure and traffic calming. Topping the list is Glassford Road, yet, staff reports indicate there is no money for any calming measures except to close the road. The battle to calm Glassford dates back 26 years when the town commissioned R.F. Binney and Associates to conduct a “Road Network Plan Study.” Glassford Road is identified to install stop signs at the intersecting streets.
In 2007, the “Traffic Calming Master Plan” called for traffic calming of Glassford Road.
August 2013 the town surveyed local residents regarding closing Glassford Road. Fifty-seven per cent of the respondents said “no.” There were multiple requests for stop signs on intersecting streets and lowering the speed limit!
September 18, 2018, a petition was presented requesting a 30km/h sign be posted.
July 21, 2020, council received yet another petition calling for a 30km/h speed limit.
March 2, 2021, a community survey called for a reduction of speed.
July 20, 2021, A public meeting survey indicated that 57 per cent of the area respondents were against closing the road. Seventy-six per cent asked for a 30km/h speed limit. The road was closed. Subsequently, Blain Lane was closed. These closures severely restrict emergency vehicle access and vectors all of the traffic through the very heart of the targeted traffic calming area which is still a 50 km/h zone.
March 1, 2022, an 86-name petition from the local residents was presented to Gibsons Town Council. It states, “Re-open Glassford Road and Blain Lane.”
Through the years, multiple requests, surveys, petitions and reports have been made to calm Glassford by posting 30km/h speed limit and do what the Binney report had called for 26 years ago, install stops signs on the intersecting roads. A very inexpensive request.
Mark Evans, Gibsons
