Staircase now in the works for Albion Falls
A staircase and viewing platform at the base of Albion Falls could be in place in less than two years — far sooner than the prediction on a protest banner unfurled at the attraction, says the area’s city councillor.
The banner, which was removed from the bridge over Albion Falls last Saturday morning, chided councillors Tom Jackson and Sam Merulla for the extensive fencing at the east Mountain attraction in light of growing safety concerns.
The writers, who have not publicly staked claim to the banner and misspelled the councillors’ names, asked for action “now, not in ten years.”
Jackson said staff is requesting a $40,000 grant from the Hamilton Future Fund to be used for the design of a staircase to the bottom of the gorge.
By the end of next summer, the design should be completed and a request for capital funding from the Future Fund should be submitted, the Ward 6 councillor said.
Jackson said based on the time it took for the Niagara Escarpment Commission to approve the east Mountain stairs, he doesn’t expect there to be a delay in approval for construction.
More than 200 metres of fencing have been erected around Albion Falls since mid-July, and about three dozen signs have been put up to keep people out of the gorge and at viewing areas instead.
The move came after two deaths and numerous rescue calls in less than a year.
Jackson said the city as a corporation had to act “in light of what seemed to be a growing epidemic” of rescues. He said he did not have any idea who might have made the banner, but “the overwhelming majority of my constituents have seen the changes at Albion Falls as necessary for public safety.”
“Instead of having a constructive path forward, it’s unfortunate this kind of thing occurs from time to time,” he said.
“After all my years on council, it would have been nice if they got my name right,” he joked.