Mann Avenue residents in Saanich were left scratching their heads in disbelief on Friday (Oct. 4) as work pressed on to install two protected bike lanes on their street. Locals were under the impression work had been paused to allow for further discussion of the controversial plans at an upcoming council meeting.

In response to the backlash about the bike lane plans, which will result in the loss of all street parking for Mann Avenue residents, District of Saanich councillors at a September meeting resolved for staff to prepare a presentation for their meeting on Oct. 7, outlining the timeline, objectives and chronology of the project.

B次元官网网址淭he plans have carried forward without the level of public engagement we would like to see,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Colin Plant at the meeting, who noted council and the community have not yet seen any design of the bike lanes.

Locals had assumed this meant the work B次元官网网址� which was already underway, days after residents received notice of the project on Sept. 13 B次元官网网址� would be paused until after the presentation. But on the evening of Oct. 3 residents were surprised to find construction workers making preparations for work to resume the next day.

'No parking' signs appeared along the street, yellow lines marking the proposed location of the bike lanes have been painted and small sections of the road have been dug up.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e making people angry, sad and frustrated for the B次元官网网址榖roader communityB次元官网网址�, who, when I've spoken to them, do not give a hoot about protected bike lanes and are very happy to have any other solution,B次元官网网址� said one Mann Avenue resident who asked to remain anonymous.

According to the resident, District of Saanich engineering staff have told them to consider widening their driveway as a solution to the loss of street parking.

B次元官网网址淚 looked into that, it costs $25,000,B次元官网网址� said the resident. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 just have that in my back pocket.B次元官网网址�

The District of Saanich, who have always maintained the community has had ample opportunity to have their say on the plans since they were first considered in 2018, say there was never any instruction to pause construction.

B次元官网网址淭he work on Mann Avenue was scheduled and underway prior to the council meeting on Sept. 23,B次元官网网址� said the district in a emailed statement. B次元官网网址淭he motion that was passed requested that staff provide council with more information about the project timeline, objectives and budget. It did not include direction to pause or delay the work until after the presentation to council at the upcoming meeting.B次元官网网址�

Mann Avenue residents are now preparing to attend the Oct. 7 meeting to have their say.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for collaborative ways to balance the needs of our community and the broader transportation plan," says a flyer circulated in the neighbourhood. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 show the council that weB次元官网网址檙e ready to work together for the best outcome. This is our chance to make sure we are heard."