A qathet Regional District (qRD) director’s call for a report into accessibility on a bridge will not proceed.
At the June 24 regional board meeting, Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he had taken calls from members of the public and there were questions about the active transportation bridge over Myrtle Creek between Bradford Road and Centennial Drive.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been made aware that this transportation corridor will not be wheelchair accessible,” said Gisborne. “This is disappointing since the provincial government states that active transportation also includes travelling with the help of a device that gives a boost, such as mobility aids. With the importance of inclusive infrastructure and the delegations we’ve had in the past, I would like to know more about the scope of this project.
“I would like to put forward a motion that the board direct staff to provide a report regarding the accessibility of the Myrtle Creek bridge project.”
Gisborne said the regional board has approved this project to connect the Paradise Valley active transportation corridor. He said it had come to his attention that it will not be wheelchair accessible, and he would like to have more details regarding why it is not, and if there is anything the regional district can potentially do to make it wheelchair accessible.
“How can we make our community more inclusive?” asked Gisborne.
Chief administrative officer Al Radke said Gisborne could reach out to qRD manager of operational services Patrick Devereaux and ask that question directly.
“I don’t think it’s required to have a motion to report back to the board,” said Radke. “If the director wants to do some homework and research and find this information out, he can then get himself informed, and then from there, move whatever item of business he has on his mind.”
Regional district chair Patrick Brabazon said didn’t see why the board had to have a motion to enquire about what is happening with a project.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said she always asks staff about projects and staff has been, by and large, incredibly helpful and resourceful in terms of providing information.
Gisborne said he reached out to staff. He said his understanding from the manager was that one of the banks is a little too steep. He said it’s something he disagrees with.
“I have gone down and seen the site,” said Gisborne. “Because this was a project started by the board, and our strategic plan is supposed to be inclusive, the board should be aware of it, and if the project needs a bit of extra funding to make this project an active transportation corridor and make it inclusive for our community, then the board needs to be made aware of the details of this project and how we can potentially fix it to make it accessible to everyone in our community.”
Gisborne’s motion for a staff report on the matter failed.
