A Langford councillor is calling for provincial funding for better pathways and lighting on school routes. Kimberly Guiry said Langford has many areas without sidewalks and street lights, and the daily walk for many students to school will be on wide roads shared with traffic that’s prone to speeding — all while cloaked in darkness and rain right through to February.
With the switch to year-round daylight time in B.C., a Langford councillor is calling for provincial funding for better pathways and lighting on school routes.
Kimberly Guiry said Langford has many areas without sidewalks and street lights, and the daily walk for many students to school will be on wide roads shared with traffic that’s prone to speeding — all while cloaked in darkness and rain right through to February.
The mother of two middle-school-aged daughters wants the province to reinstate its active transportation infrastructure grant program, which was paused pending a review this year.
“I’m hopeful this isn’t a conversation just about Langford, but all the communities across the province that are going to be experiencing this,” said Guiry. “This is a huge shift, particularly in the Victoria and Vancouver areas with very high populations, and the earlier we can all start talking about it, the more we can anticipate and create solutions for the kids.”
Guiry introduced a motion at Langford council last week to ask the province to reopen the grant program, saying city money for projects goes much further when combined with provincial funding. The motion will be discussed at an upcoming council meeting.
She referenced a $1-million grant awarded last year for the construction of a sidewalk and bike lanes along Latoria Road to create a safer route to the new Scianew Stelitkel Elementary School.