As many of us know, Wellington Crescent needs to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. For this reason I introduced a motion to reduce the speed to 30km. Years later, I am still waiting.
My first motion was overturned by the Sanding Policy Committee on Public Works and Executive Policy Committee introduced an ‘interim bike lanes’ plan for 2026 and committing to a serious public consultation which delayed action further.
The Standing Policy Committee on Public Works and Executive Policy Committee then overturned their own motion and direction to install interim bike lanes in 2026 to improve safety.
The net new plan (and consultation!) on permanent bike lanes to be constructed in 2027 ignored the public service's recommendations to reduce the speed limit to 40km.
Many residents are left shaking their heads on why they pivoted like this. Wasting time, ignoring public service recommendations, and not considering a public consultation they had directed over one hundred thousand dollars toward.
Many more have furrowed brows as the latest move on March 4th involved borrowing $5.47M from future budgets – in fiscal year 2029.
In my view, the most important, cost-effective aspect to improving safety is to reduce the speed. It noted this was also the #1 recommendation from the Public service.
To salvage the Wellington Safety project, I put forward a motion on the safety aspects at the March 26th Council meeting.
For years, residents have been waiting and expecting the city to adopt strategies for a safer Wellington Crescent. They are still waiting.