To the Editor,
As lovely Port Alberni grows, the traffic speed and density on Lathom Road does nothing but increase. This is a residential street that enjoys a bus route and runs from Gertrude Street to Ian Street. Past Ian, Lathom stops and a short jog left to Rex Street is fast becoming the beaten track .
Unfortunately this Lathom-Rex route is now a race track, or a hurried shortcut for those wishing to avoid the traffic lights at the corner of Johnston and Gertrude.
Lathom Road now hosts speeding cars, some without mufflers; the occasional screaming dirt track motorcycle with no license plate or lights; and a continuum of hurried commercial vehicles and heavier trucks.
Mix this with mobility scooters, bicycles and ebikes, pedestrians and children walking to and from school, and it gets concerning. Lathom Road is not wide: clearances are small, especially by the tracks.
Lathom Road needs its traffic slowed down and reduced before it gets out of hand and people can no longer peacefully enjoy their homes or walk safely. We pay the ever-growing taxes: perhaps now its time to do something for us.
One looks forward to the fabulous council and mayor giving the nod to unleash their awesome resources and skills on the humble, law-abiding populace.
Michael Wright,
Port Alberni