Measures approved to clean bridge at Gannon’s Narrows

Peterborough County councillors approved measures to help clean up the Gannon’s Narrows Bridge after a resident who lives next to the structure voiced concerns about litter, campfires and parking Wednesday.

Staff will develop a communication plan like the one approved for the James A. Gifford Causeway earlier this year that will include new signs, increased litter collection and hiring a security firm to occasionally direct anglers to other areas.

Areas around the south portion of the bridge are of an equal or greater concern than those on the causeway, staff said, suggesting that certain areas should be fenced and gated to discourage entrance to those areas.

The enforcement will cost about $5,000 annually and new fencing and a gate, which would be included in the 2019 public works budget, would cost about the same, public works director Chris Bradley wrote in a report tabled before council.

Blackpool Road resident Birgid Hughson was “very, very happy” with the move, having minutes earlier addressed safety and environmental issues in a delegation to council. A native of the area, she said she retired to the property in 2013.

With technical assistance from her husband Bruce, she displayed several photos of the garbage build-up at the site in a presentation. The pair clean up the area at least once a summer at the risk to their own safety, she said.

“We do it because we feel we have a moral responsibility to do it,” she said.

Birgid also voiced concerns about illegal, makeshift campfires made next to her fence line and how wood is sometimes stolen from her property. She also addressed an increase in parking in the area that at times blocks her driveway.

She sought restricting access to the southeast side area of the bridge next to her property, noting the precedent set in the causeway decision.

Warden Joe Taylor called the situation “disgusting” before pointing out a decision on the issue was coming up just a bit further down the agenda.

Coun. Sherry Senis, the deputy mayor of Selwyn, pointed out that those going there “must have the DNA of a billy goat” to tackle the hazardously steep inclines –

which were seen by councillors on the county’s recent road tour.

Coun. Bev Matthews, mayor of Trent Lakes just across the narrows, suggested bylaw enforcement could provide the answer. “I do feel sorry for you. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.

The county has succeeded in nearly eliminating all anglers from unsafe areas of the causeway since that program was implemented, Bradley wrote in his report.

A deal with Kawartha Security is expected to be extended to include Gannon’s Narrows.

The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority plans on opening access to the adjacent laneway which leads to a small parking lot that has been historically used by anglers to access the waterfront beside the county road allowance, Bradley wrote.

The conservation authority hopes to have that work done before the opening of the 2019 fishing season, he stated.

NOTE: See more county council coverage on Page A6.