Low turnout at consultation on blocking traffic
Workshop designed to get public input on closure of road to through traffic
It was a disappointing turnout for some: Seventeen people had signed up to share their opinions on the closing of Camillien-Houde Way to through traffic. Five showed up.
“I wish there was more people who came to these things, but it’s a beautiful day and people are busy,” said Melanie Kerridge, who came to the Saturday workshop to express her opinion that blocking access to cars driving over the mountain was a drastic, premature measure.
The event was part of consultations to gauge Montrealers’ opinions on the city’s pilot project restricting traffic on Mount Royal.
From June 2 though October, only buses, cyclists and pedestrians are allowed through the middle part of Remembrance Rd. and Camillien-Houde Way. The city announced it was putting barriers on the road, then decided to hold public consultations to see what people thought about the project. Kerridge said she thinks the process is backward — consultation should have been held before implementing the project.
The workshop took place beneath a tent erected next to the barriers that are meant to stop cars from driving from CamillienHoude Way to Remembrance Rd. The five participants sat around a large map of Mount Royal. They placed Lego pieces and plastic models of trees, people and
benches on the map to represent the changes they thought should be included in the city’s plans for the mountain. Workers from the Office de consultation publique de Montréal listened to their ideas and recorded them.
During the workshop, several cars ignored the barriers and drove around them.
In the coming weeks, the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM), an independent body, will be hosting five more workshops in surrounding boroughs. They’re hoping for a better turnout.
So far, 8,000 people have signed a petition in favour of the city ’s pilot project; 32,000 have signed a petition against it.
Claude Couture, a doctor who frequently bikes and walks on the mountain, said he was happy to share his vision for the mountain, and to hear from the other participants, all of whom agreed vehicles going over the mountain sometimes travel dangerously fast: cars and bikes alike.
“Mount Royal is the emblematic park of Montreal. We have to open it. It has to be much more accessible than it is now,” Couture said. “The problem is that cars and bikes travel too fast on the mountain.”
Those who want to comment on the pilot project can fill out a digital survey on two tablets, one at Maison Smith, the other at the Mount Royal chalet. The survey is lengthy, about 15 questions. It takes a few minutes to fill out. A city employee at the chalet said most people get frustrated and don’t finish it.
The OCPM wants to encourage as many people as possible to share their opinions on the mountain. People can get involved via their website at ocpm.qc.ca. The organization will be sharing the results of the public consultations in November.
The pilot project ends in October, after which the city will consider reports from the OCPM and decide whether to implement a permanent ban of through traffic on the mountain.