The Kamloops School Board will tackle the problem of traffic and parking in and around the Westmount elementary school.
Parents have complained about safety concerns something that hit a boiling point a few weeks ago with what was described a close call between a car and a young female student.
Chair Meghan Wade says the issue is coming up tonight’s school board meeting.
“We are looking at a variety of things that would involve the city and some that doesn’t involve the city. Can we do bussing? Can we do bussing partially with the district? Or can we take and look at what’s going on with the city and city transit? It also puts out there the idea of staggering school start times. It also puts out there what about the lights. What about adding a light to Westsyde Road? And for the cul-de-sac to come in.”
School staff at Westmount are also concerned as the school’s principal sent parents a letter last week.
It is in full below.
“I just wanted to update you all with regards to the issues around parking and traffic around our school. I have met with Melissa McGarry, the Manager of Health and Safety for SD73, to discuss the safety issues around the traffic, the city bus stop, and our student drop-off/pick-up zone. Superintendent of Schools, Alison Sidow, was here Tuesday morning to see first-hand the complex nature of the congestion before and after school. A traffic engineer was at Westmount on Wednesday to study our situation and provide suggestions for remedy. Secretary Treasurer, Kelvin Stretch was here Thursday morning prior to meeting with the City of Kamloops to discuss our issues and hopefully come away with some helpful solutions to reduce the overcrowding on our streets and the surrounding neighbourhood.
I assure you that we are doing all we can to come to a sustainable solution to the traffic problem before us. This solution will take time to ensure that all of the options have been considered, and the one that will best suit the needs of the school and the community has been chosen. We appreciate your patience while we work through this incredibly complex task. As soon as I have any news, I will be sure to share it with you. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions, I ask you to please send them to me, and I will ensure that they get passed on the correct party.
In the meantime, I ask that all parents follow the safety procedures that we have put in place for drop-off and pick-up times. Please do not drop off your child/ren anywhere but in the designated zone of the parking lot. We need everyone to adhere to these procedures to ensure the safety of all.”
