Dear Editor:
Re: Rumble repairs delayed, Burnaby NOW, Oct. 3.
I read with interest, the article about the condition of sidewalks along Rumble Street. Having lived in our home for more than 34 years, I strongly support the concerns of neighbour Nia Furtado, but must add many years to the duration of the issue.
I spent several years in the 1990s as a traffic and safety advocate, trying to secure safe walkways along Rumble - the major commuter route for the pedestrians as well as students walking to both Suncrest and Burnaby South. Eventually, I was able to convince the city to put in "interim paved walkways" on the north side of Rumble from Joffre to McKay avenues, where there had been no sidewalks.
Now 15 to 20 years later, those "interim" north-side sidewalks, as well as the poorly maintained south-side walkways, continue to be the only area for pedestrians to use. In those years, the no left turn from Griffiths Drive to Rumble has been removed, and very aggressive construction throughout south Burnaby has significantly increased the traffic (and accidents) on both Rumble and Patterson Avenue.
Currently, massive development is starting at Station Square with an obvious traffic increase. The residents of South Burnaby surely deserve to have a safe and easily walkable route along Rumble. We have waited long enough.
Diana Mumford, Burnaby
