Dear Editor:
Some time ago, residents of East First were the (lucky) recipients of a temporary roundabout at St. Andrews and East First.
I was thrilled to see this installed and hoped it would be permanent because it drastically slowed down the commercial traffic that uses East First, primarily a residential street. It forced large trucks to turn right and down to the new low road and didn’t send them speeding over the virtually useless speed bumps midway down the 300-block.
Most of the 300-block is a 30 km/h zone yet this is rarely adhered to by anyone other than residents. The preceding 200-block has a park, daycare, and access to another daycare via the alley, and is also 30 km/h. It also has speed bumps.
Recently, the temporary roundabout was removed and replaced with the legacy north/south stop signs, sending cars speeding down East First past parks and daycares and groups of children.
I knew the roundabout was not liked by many in this neighbourhood, but if the idea is for increased pedestrian safety, then north/south stop signs do not create this.
Make it a four-way stop or patrol the area more actively. Cut back the trees that block the 30 km/h signage, make it a four-way stop and then patrol the area more actively.
Separately, not too long after the installation of the roundabouts, it became increasingly clear that many people needed a refresher on how to operate roundabouts.
Perhaps this is something that all of North Van would benefit from.
Kelly Mann
North Vancouver
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