Redner Jones slows his pace, and carefully moves around two people walking side-by-side in front of him on the Ogden Point breakwater.
He eyes the drop on either side of the granite and concrete structure that was completed in 1916 to protect VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 harbour from rough seas, but now also serves as a popular walking path.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty unforgiving without railings,B次元官网网址� said Jones, a James Bay resident.
Jones has long argued that handrails should be installed along the structure which attracts pedestrians, even when winds are high and the path is soaked from sea spray.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is in the early stages of considering installing handrails along the breakwater, which it owns.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really just about looking at safety and access to the breakwater,B次元官网网址� said Rebecca Penz, GVHA spokesperson.
Wheelchairs and strollers, which currently canB次元官网网址檛 fit through a chainlink gate with a slim zig-zag entry way where the breakwater begins, will factor into the GVHAB次元官网网址檚 handrail study, said Penz.
The GVHA will seek answers to a number of questions as it moves forward on the issue: B次元官网网址淲ill (handrails) make the site safer, will it make it more accessible, will it potentially bring new safety hazards that we havenB次元官网网址檛 thought of, whatB次元官网网址檚 the cost, can we afford to pay for it? If we canB次元官网网址檛, who else can partner in paying for it?B次元官网网址� Penz said, adding that they will also examine how far handrails should be installed along the breakwater.
B次元官网网址淣othingB次元官网网址檚 on paper. WeB次元官网网址檙e just gathering information right now,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 figured out where it fits in our priorities yet.B次元官网网址�
Last year, black metal handrails were installed on both sides of a path leading up to the breakwater gate.
B次元官网网址淚f we put them in (on the breakwater), they would be the same as those handrails. We already have a sense of what those might look like,B次元官网网址� Penz explained.
But Victoria resident Brent Carney considers handrails a waste of time and money, and believes a warning sign at the start of the walkway is enough.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 certain things that should be understood,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 police everything or guard against everything in the world. When does it stop?
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 always going to be stupid people either way.B次元官网网址�
Safety at the breakwater last emerged in December 2009 after a Saanich manB次元官网网址檚 body was found floating in the waters near the concrete structure. Although Victoria police couldnB次元官网网址檛 pinpoint where the man entered the water due to tides, the incident sparked community concern over safety along the walkway.
Still, police are rarely called to the breakwater for accidents, said Const. Mike Russell, Victoria police department spokesperson.
emccracken@vicnews.com
