Letter to the Editor – re Burrard Bridge and NPA

The following letter was sent to the editor of the Vancouver Sun on November 9, 2005:

Regarding the NPA promise to scrap lane reallocation for pedestrians and cyclists on Burrard Bridge.

It was with great frustration that our association, one of 33 citizen groups involved in over 10 years of public consultation on Burrard Bridge, read the recent position the NPA will be heading into the next election with regarding Burrard Bridge. While the NPA has mishandled the voters' demands for improved pedestrian and cycling facilities across this bridge for more than a decade, Mr. Sullivan feels he is now entitled to score political points against the majority of politicians, including one of his own party members, who had the guts to actually take some action on this issue. Voters should be taking a long hard look at Mr. Sullivan’s stand on this issue. His proposal to widen the bridge is not only opposed by the heritage community, as reported in your paper, but is also opposed by the majority of groups that have put countless hours of volunteer work into ensuring this project is a success and provides adequate space for car drivers, buses, pedestrians and cyclists. What is not mentioned in this article is that Mr. Sullivan’s proposal will put Vancouver taxpayers on the hook for an estimated 15 million dollars, that the plan involves significant land appropriation from the Squamish native band on the south side of the bridge and is generally an unworkable solution. Downtown and Kitsilano residents are tired of waiting for pedestrian and cycling facilities that have been promised by four successive councils. It's time to let the bickering end and get on with making these much needed changes.

Sincerely yours

Rob Wynen
President, West End Residents Association

This entry was posted on November 9, 2005 at November 9, 2005 and is filed under Correspondence. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.