The prospect of a roundabout in Coldstream isn’t being well received by residents.
The idea of a roundabout at Kidston and Kalamalka roads was initiated by a grant application – where Coldstream could receive a $10,000 grant to study the prospect of a roundabout at the intersection.
While traffic is sometimes backed up down Kidston Road on school days (particularly in the morning) many Coldstream residents feel a roundabout isn’t warranted.
“Someone said to me: ‘For our seven-minute rush hour?’” said Coun. Maria Besso.
Along with an insufficient need for the roundabout, some residents say the area wouldn’t allow the proper radius for a priority.
“The general feedback is they don’t see that we need a roundabout. They don’t think it’s a priority,” said Besso.
“I one hundred per cent agree.”
She suggests a light, triggered by traffic, or a three-way stop would be more appropriate for the intersection.
“If it’s even necessary,” said Besso.
The larger issue, according to Besso, is that Coldstream council did not get a chance to discuss what projects a grant might be better used for.
“Roundabout or no roundabout, we were so rushed to apply for this grant and I personally would have liked for us to apply for a grant for storm water management.”
Festival harvests concern
Lavington’s second annual Community Harvest Festival has sprouted noise concerns in the area.
There are no formal complaints with the festival itself, which held its inaugural event last year at Lavington Park. But the request to extend its hours for amplified sound from 9 to 11 p.m. for this year’s Aug. 23-24 event, has harvested the need for a discussion over use of the park.
“This is just a local park, it’s not an exhibition ground,” said Coun. Doug Dirk, who questions whether residents even want amplified events in the park.
Dirk will be collecting input from residents neighbouring the park on the festival’s request for a noise extension and will bring the results back to council to determine whether a noise extension might be granted.
The festival was well received by residents last year, with 40 local artisans and food vendors as well as musicians. The event also collected half-a-ton of food for the food bank.
“However one of the only complaints we received was that the festival ended too early at 9 p.m.,” said Kiley Routley, Back to Earth owner, which operates the festival.
The event’s request also has the support of the Lavington Community Association.
