Friday, March 29, 2024

Victoria council to vote on banning vehicles at Beacon Hill Park, more pedestrian space downtown

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The City of Victoria council is set to vote on a motion that would permanently ban vehicles at Beacon Hill Park and increase space for pedestrian traffic in the downtown core and other areas.

A motion presented by Mayor Lisa Helps and councillor Jeremy Loveday argues that pedestrians need more space to move around safely in the downtown core and popular village centres.

In an op-ed published in the Times Colonist, Mayor Helps also states that council will be looking at allowing pubs and restaurants to occupy public squares and streets in a bid to help those businesses reopen safely.

The Mayor is also looking at changing bylaws to allow retailers to sell their goods in front of their stores, in keeping with the provincial health officer’s edict stating that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is greater outside than inside.

Mayor Helps’ and councillor Loveday’s motion also recommends that vehicles be permanently banned at Beacon Hill Park.

Primary roads within the park have only been open to first responders’ vehicles since April 10, which was introduced as a temporary measure to decrease the number of visitors at the park amid physical distancing guidelines.

“Without additional measures put in place and additional space allocated for people in dense areas like downtown Victoria, village centres and Beacon Hill Park, Victorians will not be able to follow the best public health advice and will not be able to do our part to Restart BC and our own local economy,” reads the motion.

According to the statement, the move to allocate more space for pedestrians was made in consideration of the fact that partial lockdown measures may be necessary for another year or so, until a vaccine is available for widespread use.

Council will be deliberating this and other motions at their Committee of the Whole meeting this Thursday, May 14.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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