Deteriorated walkway has City of Williams Lake concerned for safety of residents

The current state of a walkway from South Lakeside Drive and Mackenzie Avenue in Williams Lake has the William Lake council’s attention.

Councilor Scott Nelson brought the issue up at a council meeting and said it is unsafe for residents.

“The number one priority is to ensure the public has safe access from Mackenzie Avenue to South Lakeside and the Highway 20 intersection,” Nelson said. “There is stuff all over the walkways. The walkways have disappeared; it’s really become a significant hazard. The first thing we need to do is get it cleared up, put barricades up.”

Nelson said that with the development that has occurred on South Lakeside, it’s more important than ever for residents’ safety.

“There’s just been a significant amount of traffic and people walking. That is the only access to South Lakeside, and it’s simply deteriorated,” he said. “There is young children, there’s mothers, there are people walking, people cycling and it’s become a very high danger zone, and it needs to be corrected before someone gets hurt or killed.”

Nelson added that the next step would be for City staff to connect with the Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said that the paved shoulder should be swept off via a written release.

“The paved shoulder is the paved surface on the left side. Beyond the paved shoulder is the asphalt curb, and then there is the gravel shoulder. Dawson Road Maintenance is planning on sweeping the shoulder and curb line again, prior to winter. It was swept this spring as well.”