It’s never an easy decision to shut down and close a main thoroughfare in a small town like Osoyoos.
But Town of Osoyoos council felt it had no other choice but to vote to shut down Jackpine Lane following a presentation Monday by area residents Phil Craft and Tony Willems.
As Craft so eloquently pointed out, he believes it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured as drivers refuse to slow down on the busy residential roadway in the town’s east end.
This has been an ongoing problem for several years and despite efforts to erect large signs and install a good-sized speed bump halfway down Jackpine Lane, the end result is drivers continue to speed erratically down the road at all hours of the day, said Craft.
Mayor Stu Wells acknowledged worried residents have been complaining about speeding traffic on Jackpine Lane for as long as he can remember.
Council was being proactive in having large signs erected and installing the speed bump last year, but it’s obvious the problem of speeding on Jackpine Lane remains a serious problem, leaving council with little alternative but to erect a gate and halt traffic.
If this action saves one innocent child from being killed or maimed by a driver who refuses to heed the message, then council’s decision is the right one.
Local residents will be informed about the pending closure of the street over the next few weeks and then it’s expected the new gate will be erected.
Working arrangements are going to have to be ironed out with the local volunteer fire department, RCMP, ambulance and garbage contractors, as they will need clear and easy access to all properties along Jackpine Lane.
Some of these emergency responders are, no doubt, going to be inconvenienced by having this major thoroughfare blocked off.
But the bottom line is speeding drivers will no longer be allowed to be a menace along this busy stretch of road and children riding their bikes and seniors taking a leisurely stroll soon won’t have to worry about their safety being jeopardized.
It was a tough decision for council to make, but kudos to them for making the right call.
People living in quiet, residential neighbourhoods should not have to live in fear because speeding drivers refuse to obey the law and cause so much chaos.
Shame on every inconsiderate driver who has refused to slow down and obey the rules of the road for far too many years.
There’s no doubt Jackpine Lane is about to become a much quieter and safer roadway following this decision.