A group of residents is threatening legal action over safety concerns at a new LRT crossing in the city’s northeast.
The Martindale Community Association say it will apply for a court injunction to prevent the opening of an LRT station in their neighbourhood saying the new CTrain stop is unsafe.
The new Martindale and Saddletowne stations are scheduled to open on Monday, August 27, 2012 and will bring CTrain service from the McKnight-Westwinds station to Saddletowne Circle.
Officials estimate that about 8,000 transit riders will use the new line when it opens.
Kelly Jones is the Vice-President of the community association and says changes need to made to the crossing before it opens.
“We need to have something in there that actually stops the pedestrian from going across and so he actually looks both directions before he does,” said Jones.
Jones would like to see swinging gates added or posts installed to stop pedestrians from stepping out.
He is also concerned about the speed with which the train will be travelling through the area and says his association is now considering court action. “I have an attorney right now looking into an injunction to prevent the opening on the 27th.”
Ward 3 Councillor, Jim Stevenson also has concerns.
“There's definitely going to have to be training involved for the children in the area. The same as there is for trucks driving down the streets they have to be taught by their parents on how to deal with this crossing,” said Stevenson.
The city says it has been consulting with the public for the last four years about the design and that there are no changes planned.
“We've had a safety audit completed at that location and everything we've done indicates we've built the best elements that we can at that crossing,” said Anne Cataford, Manager of LRT Projects.
The Martindale Community Association is currently investigating the costs, and length of time needed, to apply for a court injunction.
The city is planning a block party on August 25th to mark the opening of the northeast LRT extension.
