Editor,
What a treat to cycle and drive down all the re-surfaced roads in Meaford this fall. From whole streets to patched areas, it’s very impressive. One wonders just what are the criteria for choosing the streets to deserve attention… A residents’ petition? Number of potholes: 5? 20? 50? Amount of deterioration at the sides? Crumbling areas – large/small? uneven surfaces? Mud ruts, and holes off to the sides? little used streets (Aimee) vis a vis busy roadways (Aiken)?
Since I cycle or drive the east end areas daily, I’m wondering how the decision as to which areas to work on is made. Wondering why the lake end of Aiken which seemed in quite good repair was resurfaced when the St. Vincent end hasn’t had any significant improvement in the 50 years that I’ve lived here. Why one end of Denmark and Eliza was re-paved when the other end surely would qualify for attention. Then there is the end of St. Vincent redone while just around the corner on Bridge St. is a cyclists’s nightmare. One wonders too, if Richmond will have its crumbling asphalt repaired.
And what about the parking at the harbour? Don’t try to navigate the minefield there. Of course there is Grant Ave into Memorial Park & the Beechvale subdivision. While we are there, the uneven surface on Lakeside could have a bit of help. Looks like we’ll be lucky to have a bit of fill in the mud ruts and holes on Aiken at Graham St & the area by the sports oval before the winter sets in. Perhaps a Use At Your Own Risk sign on Aiken would be an idea before a personal injury or vehicle damage lawsuit is filed against Meaford. In other parts of town how long does Trowbridge at the Post Office have to wait, and what about the hill on Miller St.? Why are the roads in reasonably decent shape repaired, while the ones in really bad repair ignored? Who is responsible for the decision? I hope there will be an answer from… the Mayor? The councillors? The roads department? Anyone qualified to answer?
Should the taxpayers and residents have a say in this? Maybe we should choose the 10 worst streets in Meaford to be repaired.
J.R. Williams, Meaford
Editor’s Note: Everything you might want to know about roads in the municipality, including a link to the Transportation Master Plan can be found on the municipal website: https://www.meaford.ca/en/living-here/roads-and-sidewalks.aspx
