New sidewalk rules applauded
Posted Jan 27, 2011 04:34:48 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Mobility advocates are welcoming new legislation that makes annual sidewalk inspections mandatory.
Under the provincial guidelines, municipalities must conduct annual inspections on sidewalks and make any necessary repairs within 14 days. Currently, sidewalks are inspected every three years.
While the changes come at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, Monica Morrison of Community Support Connections — Meals on Wheels and More, believes the effort will be priceless.
Morrison cites the challenges faced by people in wheelchairs and motorized scooters under current conditions and she’s adamant that falling or getting stuck even once leaves a lasting impact.
“A lot of times when a senior or a person with a disability falls, it creates fear of leaving your home because you’re wondering if you’re going to fall again,” Morrison points out.
She says this leads to a lack of independence and an inability to get to places like grocery stores, churches or community centres.
Jim Witmer, Director of Operations with the City of Kitchener, acknowledges that cities will have to get creative in finding a way to pay for the work, but he also welcomes the legislation.
“Mobility is something that needs to be higher on the list of things we’re paying attention to,” he tells 570’s Gary Doyle Show.
Between the cities of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo, about $1.3-million is spent annually on sidewalk repairs.
