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All fired up: Langford mom vows fight for safety on Preston Way won't stop

A petition with over 215 supporters calls for safe sidewalks and effective street lighting

Undeterred by the seeming lack of interest from the City of Langford, a Preston Way resident has vowed to keep fighting for safety improvements to her street.

In August, fearing for the safety of her family, her neighbours and school children from Ruth King Elementary and Spencer Middle that walk the street daily, Kelly Richards launched a petition appealing for immediate action from the city. Her petition calls for safe sidewalks, effective street lighting and facilities that cater to the needs of all pedestrians, including wheelchair users.

But with no sign of an immediate response to her petition, Richards says she fears Preston Way is becoming B次元官网网址渢he street the city doesn't care aboutB次元官网网址.

In what she describes as a B次元官网网址渇rustrating interactionB次元官网网址 with a staff member from the cityB次元官网网址檚 engineering department, Richards says she was told, B次元官网网址淲ell, nobody's been hurt yet".

B次元官网网址淎nd I said, 'so, you're just waiting for developers to come in and do all the work,'B次元官网网址 said Richards. B次元官网网址淎nd it was basically, B次元官网网址榶eahB次元官网网址. No shame, no hiding it.B次元官网网址

 B次元官网网址淎 fire has been lit underneath me," said Richards, turning her frustration into action. "I'm not going to stop."

Spending time outside her home during the morning and afternoon school-run to garner support, Richards and her petition have been met with enthusiasm.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always thought there has to be street light,B次元官网网址 said Candice Fernandes, taking a moment to talk to Richards and Black Press Media before dropping her three children off at Ruth King Elementary. B次元官网网址淏ecause it's okay in the summer, but in the winter, when it gets darker, I try to avoid here B次元官网网址 as I don't feel safe anymore. I would love street lights here.B次元官网网址

B次元官网网址淭his gentleman just said that he's lived in this area since he was three years old and he's sick and tired of almost getting hit by vehicles on the street,B次元官网网址 said Richards about another person she stopped that morning who agreed to support the petition.

In July, a sexual assault occurred at an apartment complex on Spencer Road, around the corner from RichardsB次元官网网址 home. The incident has left the mother worried for her two daughters and other women in the area. 

B次元官网网址淭here's just no concern for safety,B次元官网网址 said Richards about the lack of street lights in the area. B次元官网网址淚 said to my kids, we don't know if the person that did it lives in the building or in the area, but chances are he walks on the street."

As of Monday, Sept. 16, over 215 people have pledged their support to the campaign.

A spokesperson from the City of Langford told Black Press Media a Transportation Master Plan and an Active Transportation Plan is being developed by professional consultants over the next 12 months.

B次元官网网址淭he plans will determine the ultimate road cross-section for Preston Way and all other streets in the city,B次元官网网址 said the spokesperson. B次元官网网址淭he city recently completed a major sidewalk infill and widened the road to install protected bike lanes on Goldstream, which runs parallel to Preston Way. Prioritizing projects is done in accordance with the cityB次元官网网址檚 matrix policies, which are designed to be equitable and evidence-based.B次元官网网址

To find out more about the petition, visit the website: .



Ben Fenlon

About the Author: Ben Fenlon

Multimedia journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
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