A Windsor city councillor wants to help make Walkerville safer for visitors and business owners.
Ward 4 Councillor Chris Holt has reintroduced his push for a pedestrian-activated crosswalk at the intersection of Wyandotte St. E and Chilver Rd., in the heart of the trendy pub-and-restaurant area. Holt brought up the proposal during question time at this week's city council meeting.
Holt says it was an idea he had back in 2015, but it failed to gain support among fellow councillors. He says now is the time to discuss it again.
"I brought it back because it's still a high priority for the people in Walkerville," says Holt. "I hear it all the time that that is the new downtown intersection right there."
An online petition in support of the crosswalk has already gathered hundreds of signatures.
Traffic lights are on Wyandotte St E at Devonshire Rd and Lincoln Rd, so a crosswalk at Chilver would be at the midway point between the two. Several busy restaurants and bars are within a block's walk of the intersection. That popularity has a drawback as pedestrian movement can be a challenge, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Holt says a crosswalk remains a priority and it's something business owners want.
"They're very worried about pedestrian safety, especially now when Walkerville is getting more and more popular," says Holt. "The problem hasn't gone away. In fact, it's intensified a little bit."
Holt says a pedestrian was killed at that intersection about five years ago and two people were struck and injured two years ago, proving the need for a crosswalk there. He says although he was unable to get the crosswalk approved in the new capital budget, he can use ward money to make it happen.
City council is expected to discuss the matter at its February 26 meeting.