Logging trucks driving down Lake Cowichan’s Boundary Road has resulted in a number of issues for mayor and council to consider.
Lake Cowichan Boundary Road resident Rick Gillie visited council during their latest meeting, last week, and inquired during the question period about logging trucks driving down the quiet residential road he lives on.
The incident was written about in last week’s Gazette, and included Gillie getting fed up with the trucks and barricading the road.
“It was an unsafe condition,” Gillie said.
These conditions include kids playing along the usually quiet street and the trucks nicking overhanging power lines.
The logging company had permission to cross the Trans Canada Trail, the town’s chief administrative officer Joseph Fernandez said, with the company paying $10,000 to the province for access across the trail in a few locations.
“It’s not meant for permanent access... You’ve raised some safety issues that need to be addressed,” Fernandez said.
“The safety of our roads is our main concern,” mayor Ross Forrest said.
Councillor Tim McGonigle then suggested that the use of flag people should have been employed.
“I think the town should be notified the duration of this activity,” councillor Bob Day said.
“This is a good lesson for us,” councillor Jayne Ingram said.
With Public Works issuing advance notice through fliers about water shut offs and other activities, developers should warn residents in a similar such fashion.
“The community out there would be far more informed,” she said.
Another related issue, about permanent access to an upcoming development where the logging is taking place, was also inquired about by Gillie.
“The intent of this table is not to service that whole area through Boundary Road,” councillor Tim McGonigle assured Gillie.
The initial plan of servicing the area through the AB Greenwell Elementary School property has since been shot down, though Forrest said that additional options are, and will continue to be, looked into.
Various facets of logging truck activity within the town will also be looked into.