Editorial – Council Should Go One Step Further With The Esplanade

Pete Fisher
5 years ago
• Categories: Editorial

Maybe council didn’t go far enough with their decision to make the Esplanade a permanent one-way by the north area of the harbour in Cobourg.

What started out as an experiment last April has turned into a permanent one-way street heading west from Division Street to Third Street just south of the condos by the harbour.

It was originally supposed to be a four month experiment over the summer to address concerns by condominium residents had for safety of people driving too fast.

But it has worked out so well that council decided to make it permanent.

Frankly, it seemed like the writing was on the wall as soon as the “experiment” began.

Like any street there are times when people travel to fast for any area – the Esplanade is no different. But it certainly didn’t seem like a major concern. There have been no collisions.

But if council is truly concerned about the speed of vehicles and pedestrian safety, the area in front of Cobourg Collegiate Institute remains a high concern.

It is just a matter of time before someone will be seriously hurt or worse in that area.

It’s a place where there has been collisions. People have been struck. But nothing has changed.

A cross-walk was installed to the east of Abbott Boulevard, but students, and even teachers rarely use it from the high school.

Nothing concrete has been done to address the issue – and it remains a danger.

A number of people have cited concerns, but nothing has been done.

CCI was transformed into a larger secondary school in 2015 to accommodate students when CDCI West was closed. C.R. Gummow elementary school was re-built on Cottesmore Avenue.

It is a very highly congested area in both the morning and afternoon throughout the week.

In a four month experiment council made something permanent to an area that there has never been a problem.

But there have been problems along King Street East in the area of the high school and nothing has changed.

Maybe if condo owners would express concerns the matter would be resolved quicker.

But let’s get back to the Esplanade.

If council has come to the conclusion to make the Esplanade a one-way street – how about taking it one step further.

How about making it strictly parking where the lots are now just off Division and Third Street and replacing the pavement with grass in between?

As it stands now, traffic can only head west along the Esplanade, so it would only effect eastbound traffic.

It would definitely make things even safer having no pavement between the two parking lots and would enhance the area from Albert Street to the harbour.

It could be used as a picnic area, perhaps a gazebo could be installed, or even have a small stage for summer events during the summer evenings.

Making the Esplanade a permanent one-way is something that may or may not have been needed. But there is no doubt to the benefits of making the area between the parking lots a park like setting with no absolutely no traffic.