Dear Editor,
Re: “Seniors stranded as sidewalks blocked,” Letters, July 12.
I’m writing in response to the concerns expressed in a letter to the editor about pedestrian access in the City Centre neighbourhood around Buswell, Cook and Park roads.
I want to thank this reader for bringing his concerns to our attention. We are directly following up on the matter to ensure we are doing all we can to address the concerns expressed and ensure reasonable access is provided to pedestrians and others travelling within the neighbourhood.
Residents who have similar concerns in this neighbourhood or elsewhere in the city are welcome to call our 24-hour Public Works Dispatch line at 604-270-8721 or use the Feedback form available on the city’s website and the MyRichmond portal.
The City of Richmond understands the frustration over the disruptions being experienced in the area, which are partly related to demolition and construction activities related to the development of a new Brighouse bus loop.
When completed, this project will provide significant benefits to our city through improved transit service to and from our City Centre, which ultimately will also relieve traffic congestion throughout Richmond and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Unfortunately, with such a major project, some disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood is unavoidable.
We appreciate the patience of residents, businesses, transits users and other stakeholders while this work progresses.
We try to mitigate this impact through scheduling and other measures aimed at preserving reasonable access and movement of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as much as possible. Sometimes, scheduling overlapping work and projects helps to accelerate the construction work, thus reducing the overall time needed to complete the work. The city will try to immediately alleviate the situation as much as possible.
I thank everyone for their patience while this work is being completed.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie
RICHMOND
