Correspondence - Barney Pratt re: Traffic Concerns on Burnett Rd

Traffic Concerns on Burnett Rd (2011-440)

From: Barney Pratt
Sent: February-11-13 9:27 PM
To: Deb Becelaere; Mayor And Council Email
Cc: Jose Perena
Subject: Fwd: Traffic Concerns on Burnett Rd (2011-440)

Deb:

As you can see by the email trail below, we, my wife and I have been trying, without fail to get some resolution to a problem that is becoming worse. That problem is the lack of sidewalks or any sort of traffic calming (speed bumps) on Burnett Rd.

We live at 236 Burnett Rd. We walk our dogs down to View Royal Park by way of Burnett Road and Paddock. Tonight while walking on the right side of Burnett toward the park, we were among vehicles on Burnett coming from both directions and more yet on Paddock coming toward Burnett. No traffic control and nowhere to be except on the road because of cars parked on the side of the road. There are a lot of folks who walk their dogs in this area both residents and people who use the trailer park.

When you guys close the Craigflower bridge this problem will only get worse......just like it was, when you were redoing the Old Island Highway through View Royal town centre.

Your predecessor Emit actually came to our house one day and walked through the area with me telling me about all the changes that had been "already approved" and were "in the budget". He told me this was so because View Royal hasn't spent much money in our area over the past few years.

I also notice that this seems to have all gone away since the planned development of the new fire hall. So while we seem to get all sorts of empty promises about getting back to us and communication....blah, blah, blah.........what we actually get is nothing......zero......zip......nada. Even "in person" visits to talk to someone gets us nowhere.

You on the other hand can't be getting tired of talking with us because you haven't done that yet.

Forgive me if I sound frustrated. If I ignored requests for service from somebody who paid my salary then I guess they would be upset too, and you know what.........they'd have every right to be pissed off....................maybe they would do something to "light a fire under my butt". Who knows???

Give us a call.........we'd love to chat. I can even get most of the neighbours together if you'd like. We're all equally pissed off. Those of us that supported the new fire hall and some of the council and mayor on election day are feeling like a bunch of lepers.

Barney Pratt

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jose Perena
Date: February 11, 2013 5:44:10 PM PST
To: Barney Pratt
Subject: Fwd: Traffic Concerns on Burnett Rd (2011-440)

Begin forwarded message:

Staff Response and Recommendation

From: Deb Becelaere <DBecelaere@viewroyal.ca>
Date: November 21, 2011 9:52:15 AM PST
To:
Cc: 'Barney Pratt', Kim Anema <KAnema@viewroyal.ca>, Emmet McCusker <EMcCusker@viewroyal.ca>
Subject: RE: Traffic Concerns on Burnett Rd (2011-440)

Hi Jose:

Thank you for your email and our apologies for the delay in response. We've had a few other residents on Burnett Road call in with the same complaint about speeding. We're currently in the process of designing sidewalks, lighting and drainage upgrades for Burnett Road and the western section of Pheasant Lane (to connect to View Royal Park), with the intent to request the monies for the project in the 2012 budget process. Due to concerns such as yours, we're looking at different traffic calming options and will integrate these into the design.

The 2012 budget will be finalized by early May of next year, so staff will know then if the project will be going ahead for the summer of 2012. Please feel free to contact us for an update, or you can read the minutes of the budget meetings on our website as they take place from the end of this year to next spring.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.

Deb Becelaere
Superintendent of Engineering
Town of View Royal
45 View Royal Avenue
Victoria, BC V9B 1A6
Phone: (250) 479-6800 Ext 224
Fax: (250) 727-9551

---Original Message---

From: Jose Perena
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 4:11 PM
To: Mayor And Council Email
Cc: Deb Becelaere; Barney Pratt
Subject: traffic concerns on Burnett Rd

Dear Mr. Hill, View Royal Council members,

My name is Mrs. José Pereña Pratt and my husband, Barney Pratt, and I have lived at 236 Burnett Rd in View Royal for almost five years.

We have become increasingly concerned about the traffic on our residential street and we are asking you to please give credence to our concerns and consider our proposals.

Burnett Rd and Pheasant Lane are both used heavily as a 'short cut' between the old Island Highway and Helmcken. This happens throughout the day and evening but most often during the commute hours.

Most vehicles are not adhering to the speed limit for a residential street and we are concerned for the safety of the many pedestrians who are heading to and from the bus stops on the Island Highway or are just out walking in their neighbourhood. Please note that there are no sidewalks on Burnett Rd.

We are suggesting that serious thought and discussion be entertained regarding the installation of 'speed bumps' on Burnett Rd between the Island Highway and Pheasant Lane to encourage traffic to drive with more care, caution and concern.

A precedent has been set in the town of View Royal as speed bumps have been installed along View Royal Ave since we moved into the municipality. My guess is they are in place for exactly the same reason. Traffic made a habit of detouring through residential streets in order to avoid congestion points on the main thoroughfare.

Thank you for your expected timely consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

José Pereña Pratt

PS: I have visited the Town Hall office twice regarding this matter and have left one written memo and one verbal reminder but have yet to receive any follow up. It was suggested that sending an email to you would be the 'sure fire' way to get the above matter on the agenda of an upcoming Council/Town Hall meeting.