Parking spots may be fewer on the north end of Heath Road by the end of the month, but for residents of Gallagher Landing, this means increased safety while driving.
In a letter sent to Kent council by the Gallagher Landing strata council on May 12, the strata council requested that the District of Kent consider implementing a no parking section on the east side of Heath Rd., just south of Pioneer Ave.
“It is very dangerous for our owners to leave the driveway due to the amount of cars parked around the entrance,” the letter read. “We have also noticed that due to the parking on both sides of the street that this has caused single lane traffic, which increases the challenge for our owners to leave our driveway.”
Gallagher Landing strata council president Wayne Rice explained that while the amount of parked cars makes it hard for residents to leave their driveway, it also presents safety concerns.
“There’s enough room for about three cars but they park right back to our driveway, and when we come out of here, it’s almost head on,” he said. “There have been some terribly close calls.”
After investigating the sight, engineering staff reported the issue to council at their June 13 meeting, and suggested that no parking signs be installed in front of Gallagher Landing, located at 1854 Heath Rd.
“Currently up to four vehicles are parked in this area on the regular basis. The parked vehicles, in combination with increased pedestrian and traffic activity in this area are contributing to conditions where safety implications need to be considered,” the report reads.
The report also noted that including the no parking section will increase safety in the area, but also create enough space for public buses, delivery trucks and emergency vehicles.
Council approved the report unanimously and plans to install the signs by the end of June.
Director of Engineering Mick Thiessen noted that if the issue continues to persist, further measures will be taken.
“With this additional no parking zone, throughout Heath Rd. there will only be parking on one side. It does alternate a side at a time, but it does allow enough time to make that transition,” he explained. “If there’s issues, we can introduce signs that the cars will be towed at the owner’s expense.”
Council is permitted to place the signs at their discretion, as stated in the Highways, Traffic, and Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1321, 2005 which explains that the District Engineer “has the authority to place traffic-control devices to regulate or prohibit traffic where deemed necessary to ensure the orderly movement of traffic.”