Oceanside RCMP have issued approximately 100 speeding tickets in school zones since the start of the school year, Qualicum Beach town council learned Monday night.
Particularly bad is the stretch on Wembley Road. “We don’t believe it’s an enforcement issue,” RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman told The NEWS later this week. He said the danger comes from the design of the road — no sidewalks — and continuous building in the area.
While the Wembley Road area is not a part of Qualicum Beach (it’s under the jurisdiction of the RDN and the Ministry of Transportation), Coun. Dave Willie said Monday night he sees the suburbs affecting the town’s services. As such, he thinks the town needs to be a part of the discussion and, perhaps, the solution for these areas.
“We really need to think hard about stamping these subdivisions one after the other,” he said. “We have to look at those areas and realize that there are certain things people will expect, such as sidewalks.”
Coun. Mary Brouilette, however, questioned if this would be the right path. “Not that I want them to have unsafe roads, but … they knew there was going to be that many houses built there. So I would hate for Qualicum Beach’s tax dollars going to Wembley Rd. when we need that service here.”
Another service affected by the Wembley Road area is water, said Wille. With so many “straws” in the aquifers, the water system could start feeling some pressure so the town has to start talking about water as a shared resource, he said.
On this Brouilette agreed, adding the question “When these developments are approved by the RDN … when there could be a pressure on our water system, who just approves this?”
Also from Qualicum Beach town council’s meeting Monday night:
• Council asked staff to get more information from Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan about his request for a letter of support regarding Island Ferry Services, Ltd., a proposed high-speed passenger-only ferry to operate between Nanaimo and Vancouver. Councillors said they were unsure what type of support Ruttan was asking for.
• Council adopted a bylaw outlining Qualicum Beach’s financial plan (2015 – 2019).
• Council read two bylaws for a third time. The first is an amendment bylaw regarding the town’s financial plan (2014 – 2018) and the second pertains to storm drain works on Yambury Road.
• A rquest from residents around Qualicum Woods to consider what could be done to improve safety around that intersection was heard by council. One consideration is adding a traffic light and a bus shelte.
• 1.2 m sidewalks will be installed on Berwick Road next to the new fire hall as construction progresses
