Watercolours residents have expressed a serious safety concern regarding the routine shortcut that teens have been making across the train tracks which poses a serious safety risk to them. The area in question is at the southwest end of the community. Recently LPWRA Executive Committee members met with officials from the City and the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) committee. The purpose of this meeting was to follow up on the CPTED's recommendations as they too are concerned that with the speed of the trains on 3 tracks someone is going to get seriously injured or killed.
When the LPWRA approached the CPTED to draw attention to this issue, they concluded that the illegal crossing was a significant risk.
As a result, we are pleased to announce that despite CN & CP refusing to share costs the City has agreed to implement all of CPTED's recommendations. The City has committed to the following:
- There are currently three holes in the Shawnmarr fence on the south side of the tracks. The City will make these repairs immediately.
- They will reconfigure access and fencing to the area on the north side of the tracks in an attempt to prevent easy access and to allow for better police security.
- The City will be removing the chain link fencing and gate at the north end and the east side north of the transformer.
- They will replace the remaining chain link fence at the south end and the east side south of the transformer with a higher and much stronger extended metal fencing. By removing the fencing at the north end and east side, it will open up the area from this side allowing police cars to drive directly into the area. The stronger fencing around the transformer and south end will deter access into the neighbourhood.
- In addition, they are working with Enersource to put a light by the hydro poles at the south end.
- They will also reconfigure the landscaping to remove the natural stepping stones that can be used to step down from Merlot into the area where the transformer is.
The City is committed to having it done in 2012.
The ongoing relationship between the City and your Association has been both a strong and productive one throughout the years. We look forward to working with the City on this important security initiative.
