Editor:
The authors of the last two letters on the Glassford closure make some great points. It’s unfortunate that people on different streets are seemingly pitted against each other in finding ways to mitigate traffic flow through the narrow residential streets in Lower Gibsons. That being said, as the authors note, Glassford is wider and straighter than Gower Point, and an obvious option for folks wanting to go 70-80 kmph in the race to the ferry or other destinations, hence the need to find alternatives for this particular road. I have first-hand experience watching vehicles zoom down Glassford prior to its closure. Let’s make things clear, Glassford has no clear and continuous shoulders, sidewalks or speedbumps. The demographics of this neighbourhood have changed in recent years, with a daycare on the corner of Trueman and Glassford, the main school bus pick up on the same corner as well as over a dozen families living on Glassford and Maplewood. At certain times of the day, dozens of children walk to the bus and home again down this street. I do find it interesting how certain streets in Lower Gibsons (South Fletcher) were conveniently prioritized for traffic calming measures, with sidewalks, speedbumps, signage and extra street lights, with other nearby residential streets without any of the above. I have heard the alternative points brought up before by the authors to the town during one of the engagement sessions on the closure of Glassford. I supported the idea of keeping Glassford open, BUT with the implementation of traffic calming measures on the street (speed bumps and some form of actual sidewalks). However, these options have been noted by the town as being financially unfeasible. Yes, Glassford is a lot calmer right now, because before the closure Glassford was taking on the brunt of speeding traffic.
Zachary Cavasin, Gibsons
