Danger zone for kids, seniors and the disabled

Tucked between Nichols Road and Highway 359, McKittrick Road is not just a street, it’s a neighbourhood.  Trish Robicheau lives there. She works there too.  Her garage has been lovingly converted to accommodate her small business: photosbytrish.  From what I saw her portrait and wedding photography is as good as it gets.

But her camera of late has been focused on her street.  Or, what’s left of it.

Lots of us in Kings County have our own deep holes.  We ignore them at our peril.  The only thing these potholes are good for is business at the local garage.  We are all too often putting extra repairs on our cars based on nasty encounters with potholes.

But the condition of McKittrick Road represents other, more important hazards... This short little street is just around the corner from Aldershot Elementary. And , every child on this street walks to school.  

Walking to school is great exercise in a time when we are all encouraging our kids to get active!  But, when kids walk here there’s a big risk involved:

Firstly, the pavement is narrow --- two cars can barely pass; 2. Shoulders are in pitiful condition; 3. There’s no sidewalk; 4. Buses regularly travel this road to take the bused children from other neighbourhoods back and forth to school; 5. The middle of the road no pass signs are barely visible; 6. I didn't see any "children playing" or "drive slow" signs.

What can be done?  Our MLA Jim Morton could help get this road closer to the top of the provincial list for repairs.  The slogans of “School Zone Safety” and “Paying Less Means Paving More” on our government’s website gives lovely photos of children on well-maintained roads with curbs.

A rosy picture.  Not at all what children, the disabled and seniors are experiencing on McKittrick Road.

I know our MLA cares about kids and families.  Fixing this road isn’t a big ask from Jim Morton of his friends in cabinet.  The road is only a few hundred metres long.  I'd bet it represents a relatively small cost compared to jobs ready to roll.   

All of us in Kings North need to ask Jim if he is already working on this.  If so, can he speed things up!  Jim’s phone number is 678-6880. It’s time for the HONOURABLE MAURICE G SMITH who looks after our roads to step in and resolve this dangerous situation.  Stopping a likely tragedy means acting sooner rather than later.

Let's help Trish and her neighbours by picking up our phones or emailing jimmorton@kingsnorthmla.ca