North Shore News
Friday, May 09, 2008
Dear Editor:
Regarding West Vancouver’s portion of the proposed Spirit Trail: In West Vancouver Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones’ column on Transportation (North Shore News, April 25), she writes: “noise and congestion is invading our quiet corner of the region.”
Goldsmith-Jones then goes on to discuss the province’s cycling plans for West Vancouver and the proposed Spirit Trail multi-use roadway through this quiet corner of the region stating that this is “a good thing for West Vancouver.”
I, and many other residents of West Vancouver, take issue with this statement. The proposed trail is largely unknown by the residents living along its proposed route, and as they learn of it, most are outraged at the effect this multi-use trail/roadway is likely to have on the noise and congestion around their homes.
In the western Ambleside area and Dundarave, the proposal is turning neighbour against neighbour in attempts to persuade the West Vancouver planners to move the proposed routing away from their backyards to other residents’ backyards, and in many cases others’ front yards. It is sad to see the degradation of community spirit this is causing.
Is this “a good thing for West Vancouver”?
I certainly see that this path through our beautiful areas will be good for the residents from other parts of the Greater Vancouver region, who will carry their bicycles on their cars to West Vancouver to park and then bike to Horseshoe Bay.
But how many West Van residents will benefit from the trail, and how many older West Van residents who enjoy the present Seawalk will be endangered by having to deal with this multi-use traffic (bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, hikers and dogs) in order to reach the Seawalk?
And how many of our mini-parks and access paths will be sacrificed for the benefit of those from outside our “quiet corner of the Region”?
It appears that to obtain promised provincial government funding for this trail, the project is being fast-tracked. I hope that the District of West Vancouver council will examine these issues very carefully before allowing outside monies to rush through the proposal.
Robert Lyone
West Vancouver
Tags: District of West Vancouver council, Pam Goldsmith-Jones
