Chatham-Kent residents are teaming up to fight back against proposed changes to Victoria Avenue in Chatham.
The sewer under the street is scheduled to be upgraded from McNaughton Avenue to Thames Street in two phases starting in 2022. While the street is ripped up, municipal staff are recommending that the sidewalks be removed and replaced with multi-use pathways that are located next to the street.
A cross-section showing Victoria Ave. currently (top), and the proposed changes (bottom). (Photo from www.chatham-kent.ca)
"What they're proposing has a very large price tag, and none of it is necessary," said Patti McPhail with the group Voices for Victoria, which is fighting to preserve the street. "In fact, if they go through with the proposal it will alter the heritage of the street forever. The streetscape will change completely and that is what many of the residents are upset with."
McPhail said putting a multi-use path right next to road has them worried about safety issues.
"The only thing separating the pathway and the street would be a mountable curb. So we're just mind-boggled about how this could possibly be safe," said McPhail. "There's a lot of issues, not just the safety of the pedestrians using the pathway, but also snow removal because when a plow goes down the street, all that snow's going to go onto the pathway."
The plan also proposes a roundabout be put in at the intersection with Stephenson Avenue and Gladstone Avenue to slow down traffic, but the group thinks low-profile traffic humps would be a better option.
McPhail added that the plan would see a number of mature trees cut down.
"Putting the bike path in and removing the sidewalks would results in numerous mature trees that are going to be removed, street lights and hydro poles being relocated," said McPhail. "There's a lot of things with the proposals that the residents are quite happy about, for example, we need the sewer upgrade."
A public information meeting was held at Sprucedale United Church on Thursday, February 20.
Proposed changes to Victoria Ave. in Chatham. (Photo from www.chatham-kent.ca)
"There was a lack of leadership. I know when my husband and I left, we were furious," said McPhail. "There was all kind of unanswered questions, confusion. The people we talked to, the representatives contradicted themselves, most of them were not from Chatham-Kent so they weren't familiar with the points of interest we were referring to."
Homeowners on Victoria Avenue that are not happy with the plan and the lack of communication have put orange ribbons around trees on their property.
Chatham councillor Michael Bondy plans to put forward a motion at the next council meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020 to fix the sewers without removing trees or the sidewalks.
Residents can submit comments on the plan until Friday, March 13, 2020. Comments will then be reviewed from March 16-20, 2020. Concerned residents can also join the Save Victoria Avenue group on Facebook.
- With files from Kirk Dickinson