Dear Editor:
Once again the North Shore sidewalks are blanketed in snow and being neglected. Not only does this make it difficult to go for a walk or get to transit and school it makes for very hazardous conditions for our children.
The main arteries going into the schools must have the sidewalks cleared to prevent children from walking on the road. The District of North Vancouver has done this before but came under fire from residents on side streets who wanted their sidewalks done as well. I find that absurd.
In the morning at drop-off time and in the late afternoon at pickup time, the arterial streets to these schools become very busy, not at all like side streets. These streets are no place for anyone to walk on the road.
The district does not have a bylaw making sidewalk clearing the responsibility of the homeowners which exacerbates the problem.
Please urge your city or your district to clear the sidewalks not just in front of the schools but the sidewalks on the entire main arterial road to each school, this is a safety issue.
And, please get out and shovel your sidewalk and those sidewalks of folks who cannot shovel their own.
Sandra Martin
North Vancouver
Editor’s note: District of North Vancouver spokeswoman Stephanie Smiley says: “Our street and traffic bylaw requires owners/occupiers of industrial, commercial, and multi-family property to remove snow from sidewalks and footpaths. It does not include single-family property owners. However, we encourage single-family homeowners to clear their sidewalks and help their neighbours, for the safety of all pedestrians.”
Smiley said it’s important to note that not all streets in the district have sidewalks.“In fact, we have 340 kilometres of streets and only 190 km of paved sidewalks,” she said.
“Finding a fair and equitable way to encourage single-family homeowners to clear sidewalks without penalizing residents who aren’t able-bodied or who may be elderly and mobility-challenged is difficult.
At this point, education is our preferred option. We encourage all residents to take a good neighbour approach to ensure sidewalks in front of their homes are safe and passable. And we encourage able-bodied residents to assist their neighbours who may have difficulty clearing their sidewalks.”
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