By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 24, 2008
A Vernon politician is reigniting demands to block off a major road to large trucks. Coun. Barry Beardsell is upset that Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon refused to attend a council meeting to discuss highway issues although he was asked to do so in July. “Once again we should consider the banning of truck traffic on 27th Street to bring this to his attention,” said Beardsell. Beardsell first suggested the concept in the summer because many large trucks use 27th Street as a link between highways 97 and 6, but it is designated as a local road. “We aren’t getting a penny out of the province,” he said of the cost of maintaining 27th Street. Beardsell also added that 27th Street is frequently congested with traffic and large trucks put motorists and pedestrians at risk.Falcon’s Oct. 9 letter will be before council Monday for consideration, and in it, the minister states that his schedule does not allow him to attend any meetings in Vernon.
“However, as you know, the next annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention will be held this September. I would be pleased to address your and the council’s concerns there,” wrote Falcon. The next UBCM is in September 2009, and as of this Nov. 15, a new city council will be elected. Beardsell is not impressed with the tone of Falcon’s letter. “It’s insulting and says, ‘You guys don’t count,’” he said of current council. If his colleagues were to agree to shutting down 27th Street to large trucks, Beardsell admits that will force those vehicles on to 32nd Street (Highway 97), worsening congestion there. But Beardsell also believes that situation would send a strong message to Falcon. “Maybe that will get the ministry’s attention about the problems we have on 32nd Street,” he said.
