As you know, Central Saanich is about to amend its truck route bylaw to specifically designate a rural section of Lochside Trail as a commercial garbage truck route. This presents a huge potential for conflict with trail users including the safety of horse riders, bikers, joggers and families with children and dogs.
In an attempt to mitigate this conflict, Central Saanich has offered to widen this section (from Martindale to Stanhope Farm). This was selected as the best of three options … best for Central Saanich council perhaps, but certainly not best for Lochside Trail users or the general community.
Option three was extending Old East Road north along its existing right-of-way to Martindale, specifically for garbage truck and farm access. This would protect Lochside Trail and affect the fewest residents. I don’t believe this option was given due consideration and Central Saanich has not listened to our requests for a more thorough assessment. I therefore urge you to request that Central Saanich seriously consider this route in the interests of safety on the trail and the general community.
It is urgent that this intervention be made soon. I understand that Stanhope Farm plans to install another access drive on their property from the composting site to Lochside. If this effort and expense is instead put into extending the Old East right-of-way to Martindale it would substantially reduce the cost to Central Saanich and benefit everyone … a win-win situation.
Over the past few weeks my wife and I have had several hundred trail users and local residents sign a petition to protect this section of the trail. All of us would greatly appreciate your intervention in this matter.
David and Michele Bond,
Central Saanich