East Richmond resident Bob Jones says his quiet, south Hamilton waterfront neighbourhood, of 50 or so residents, has been turned into “Stinkyville.”
That’s because McRae’s Environmental Services has moved in across the street to establish its works yard operations.
McRae’s conducts hydrovac and septic tank services, among other things. Its operation could mean roughly 240 truck trips in and out of the yard each day. However, McRae’s has noted publicly that it will not be emptying or washing its tanks on the new site, across from the residential area.
Residents, such as Jones, have formed the Dyke Road Residents’ Coalition to protest the truck traffic that will be coming to their front door, along the narrow Dyke Road.
“Two trucks traveling in opposite directions had great difficulty in passing each other at most points on Dyke Road.
“There was definitely no room for pedestrians, bicycles or handicap scooters when they were trying to pass each other,” said Jones via email.
Residents contend the City of Richmond is ignoring their concerns. While noting the road has been designated a pedestrian and cycling path by the parks department, the coalition calls for safety upgrades.
City spokesperson Ted Townsend said the city will be monitoring the area once McRae’s is fully operational.
Townsend said the potential exists to build a back road adjacent to Highway 91 to alleviate Dyke Road traffic, however the landlord can only be required to do so in a rezoning application (and McRae’s operations comply with zoning).
The landlord is Farrell Development Corporation, owned by the family of Coun. Linda McPhail, who must stay at arms length of the process.
