Dear editor:

The article by Brittany Carter and Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, (“In-depth: Queen Street parking a royal mess”), in the Jan. 30 issue of the excellent Lake Report is long overdue, but any discussion regarding parking in the town should include the other related burning issue of pedestrian traffic management.

The two issues go hand in hand.

Specifically, whilst circling the town looking for a parking spot, I get increasingly frustrated with the number of pedestrians appearing from all sides from between parked cars, not looking, not caring or waving apologetically.

Sooner or later someone is going to be injured or killed and, of course, the motorist will be to blame.

The problem is compounded with delivery trucks parked in the centre of the road, cabs using parking spots at the LCBO as a taxi rank, e-bikes taking up parking spots and  the lack of crossing points for pedestrians to safely cross on Queen Street. Plus there’s enforcement of jaywalking laws.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in favour of closing off Queen Street.

Rather, sort out this mess by considering solutions such as parking garages and others outlined in the article and, of course, designated crossing points.

Peter Warrack

NOTL