The fate of Veterans Drive to be decided in November

Veterans Drive is coming back to council chambers for debate.

The short roadway located behind the Royal Canadian Legion in Pictou that had a section of it turned into a one-way a year ago is expected to be back on council’s agenda in November.

In preparation for the debate on whether the barricade was successful in reducing traffic and speed on the street, councillors listened to people have their say during a public meeting Monday in council chambers.

“We have a decision to make in November,” said Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan. “We are here and we are listening.”

Veterans Drive has been an issue for council for the past 10 years. Residents often attended council meetings complaining about the state of the road, speeding, high traffic levels and safety concerns for children.

In December, council decided in a split vote to make a small section at the end of the street as one way by placing a barricade near the Legion, but this didn’t please everyone.

“It was a year trial,” he said. “People will be for it and against it and we will continue to ask and gather information.”

In the past year, council has

“We have a decision to make in November … We are here and we are listening.” Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan

received petitions asking for the barricade to be removed and the street returned to the way it was as well as a proposal by a local businessman who said he would install speed bumps on the street or stop signs at no charge.

Brenda Chisholm, a local bed and breakfast owner on the corner of Veterans Drive, said her business has suffered because people have a difficult time finding her home. In the past, she told council she could tell renters she was located on the road behind Sobeys, but now they have to travel through town to find her after the negotiate the town’s two rotary systems.

She said changes haven’t helped decrease traffic or speed on the street, but it has increased the amount of traffic on West River Road leading into town.

But others at the meeting said they want the barricade to stay because it has made a difference in their lives.

“The past year has been the best year on Veterans Drive for us,” said resident Sarah Bronson. “We have safety now. You can walk on the street without worrying about traffic coming both ways. Children can go in the playground without worrying about traffic. When I am sitting in my driveway, I don’t have to wait to get out.”

Those opposed to the barricade said a reduction in the speed limit and a stronger police presence would be a better solution to the problem.

Some people in meeting questioned by safety was a concern on Veterans Drive when there other streets in the town that have high traffic volumes and speed issues.

“We used to live on Union Street and there was heavy traffic and lots of speeding,” said Lisa Smith, a resident of Dunromin Terrace that connects to Veterans Drive. “There was no barricade decision there. “