Correspondence from L. T. Wickett re: CROSSING VERY UNSAFE - ISLAND HWY - SIX MILE ROAD
Resident correspondence highlighting pedestrian safety dangers at the intersection of Island Highway and Six Mile Road.
From: L. T. Wickett Sent: September 17, 2024 6:04 PM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Cc: Engineering E@viewroyal.ca Subject: CROSSING VERY UNSAFE - ISLAND HWY - SIX MILE ROAD
Dear Sir,
My husband, four children and I have lived at 4 Dukrill Road for more than 30 years. I am writing concerning the very dangerous and quite scary pedestrian crossing at Island Hwy, and Six Mile Road, from the Shell Gas Station and/or BC Transit Bus stop. Our four children have taken buses from high school for many years. Three of our children chose to take the BC Transit and not drive at this time, needing to take these pedestrian light controlled crosswalks every day.
When going to the Shell Gas Station or Bus stop, you must cross Island Hwy, to the Six Mile Pub, then cross Six Mile Road. When standing and waiting for the green walk sign, there are many cars that do not stop before turning right from Six Mile Road, to get on the Island Hwy. You must be very careful.
Returning from the Shell Gas Station is very very hazardous. Drivers turning right from Island Hwy, many times over the speed limit, turn right onto Six Mile Road without stopping for their red light. When you have the pedestrian light to cross the road, some people do not even slow down, treating Six Mile Road as part of Island Hwy. Many times my children have to stop very fast in the crosswalk, to let the car pass in front of them. At the same time, you even have drivers turning right onto island Hwy from the Six Mile Road , and you are almost in the middle of the crosswalk. It is very scary when cars come within arms length, before stopping hard, and express their anger. I’ve been told about some pretty awful experiences they’ve had coming back from school,taking the bus, or coming back from the gas station. We have seen that some cars live right on Six Mile Road.
When returning, having to cross Island Hwy from the Six Mile Pub corner is very treacherous also. By the time you are half way across Island Hwy, the green pedestrian light is red with 5 - 7 seconds remaining to cross, much too fast. It has happened where the driver goes forward not having seen my child crossing, as well as the car behind him. People are so much in a rush. The light is way too fast for pedestrians to walk across.
There are simple solutions for these problems, give more time for pedestrians to cross on their pedestrian green light. As well as having a No Right Turns on red lights at these intersections. Island Hwy and Six Mile Road are treated like highways at a higher speed. Have these enforced by the traffic police. Don’t we want more people walking and/or taking BC Transit? Make it safe. A sign with No Turning On Red Light can be an obstruction for car drivers and traffic but Ambulances would be more of an obstruction.
This has been a major problem for a very long time, more than 10 years, something must be done to help pedestrians and Transit users. With construction everywhere and major population growth in the Westshore, this must be changed before someone gets really hurt. This summer, there has been major vehicle accidents at these intersections. I am sure that people in our community would be safer with these changes.
I thank you for your time with this, I would appreciate and look forward to your reply.
Lisa Wickett View Royal