Although I applaud Langford’s efforts to encourage walking and biking throughout the district, I need to point out a major deficiency.
Sections of Sooke Road have sidewalks and covered bus stops, but the span from Happy Valley Road out to the end the residential area near Slegg Lumber is without sidewalks or covered bus stops.
Although the Galloping Goose trail is close, it is not easily accessed by the residents of this area.
First, one has to find a safe place to cross Sooke Road which means either walking up Sooke Road towards Slegg and crossing at the crosswalk near Chan Place then walking to Marwood Avenue or down Sooke Road to Happy Valley Road, crossing at the intersection then walking back down Sooke.
Although the Goose runs parallel to Sooke Road, the Luxton grounds have a fence preventing one from getting on the Goose elsewhere.
For moms like myself, it is not an enjoyable trek pushing a stroller on uneven gravel up or down Sooke Road. Although the shoulder is paved, it is far too dangerous to walk on.
Glen Lake Road is no better, it has less traffic but also has a dangerous blind corner (near Sooke Road) and the traffic is still heavy and will only increase with the new high school, the Westhills development and the new City Center Park.
If you have ever seen Jacklin Road just as classes are ending, you will understand how many students travel on foot and how unsafe it would be for them to be walking down such a busy road en mass with no sidewalks.
One final point, for drivers it is a common courtesy to take a wide berth around a pedestrian when there is no oncoming traffic, especially a pedestrian who is pushing a stroller.
I do not feel the speed limits on either road needs to be reduced but please be considerate until Langford puts in these much needed sidewalks. Colwood is already beating us on this one for their portion of Sooke Road.
Kristi Davis
Langford
