Editor:
I occasionally watch the Surrey council meetings on TV.
It seems that every application wants to subdivide and reduce the allowable setback to provide for another unit or lot.
Some people speaking against new builds argue there is lack of classrooms, parking or road access.
Developments are inevitable, but it seems to me that infrastructure – particularly roads – are not keeping up with development, especially in South Surrey.
Just look at 32 Avenue, 152 Street and King George Boulevard; the two-lane overpass on 152 Street and Highway 99, four lanes to two lanes to four lanes; and the old Bailey bridges on King George Boulevard.
Perhaps it is time for developers to contribute to our roadways.
At least Coun. Dave Woods has dared to raise this issue (Council wary of Rosemary Heights congestion, Feb. 22.
Maybe council should take a helicopter ride over South Surrey during the evening rush hour.
Barry Bradley, Surrey
• • •
Surrey ignores both the solution and the problem.
There is congestion on 24 Avenue from 152 Street to 176 Street. Thousands of more residences and many more businesses are coming between 160 Street and 176 Street, from 16 Avenue to 32 Avenue.
Surrey council – as well as the B.C. government – rarely plans and builds when they should. Consider this when voting for council and MLAs.
The solution is to build a six-lane overpass, improving access to Croydon and 160 Street, and to widen 24 Avenue between 162 Street to 176 Street to four lanes.
We have two Liberal MLAs in our area. Pressure them for a contribution. Put a development cost charge of $1,000 in the area.
Design it now. Then build it. If they start now, it might be ready to do some good.
Al Lappi, Surrey
