Hello Francie,

When I went into the Home Hardware store in Port this morning, my attention was drawn to the newly erected No Parking Signs in front of Broderick's that have effectively removed approximately 3 or 4 parking spaces. As I talked to one of the store owners in the area, he stated that they weren't even aware a change was being made to the parking restrictions.

I should have known something was up when, several weeks ago, new right turn lane markings were painted in front of Highland Pharmacy. It seemed very unusual that parking would be allowed in the turning portion of the lane, but with some of the other traffic sign antics I've noted, I wasn't surprised. Allowable parking spaces within the driving or marked portion of the right lane seemed out of place, but since I hadn't seen the work being done, my suspicion was that it was done in error.

Suddenly, a new No Parking sign has been erected in front of the pharmacy effectively removing another 2 to 3 parking spaces. I am sure the Municipality in all of its wisdom considered the fact that there is no where for anyone, especially our seniors, to make their way to the sidewalk without walking into the driving lane of traffic of to try to climb the mound of snow that acts as a barricade to the front entrance of the pharmacy.

Out of curiosity, is a by-law not necessary to create these No Parking areas, and if they have been passed, shouldn't a formal public notification be necessary before enforcement action can be taken.

It strikes me that the Town administrators are being short-sighted in their approach to parking (and many other issues) in this town. Removing 5 or 6 legitimate parking spaces in the main tourist area seems ludicrous, especially when they want to charge for parking.

Your thoughts?

Michael Felip
Port Stanley, ON

Editor's Investigation

I called the municipality only to be informed that this was a County decision because Bridge and Colborne are County roads. So I call the County and spoke to Clayton Watters, Director of Engineering.

These changes are the result of a study conducted last year to determine traffic patterns and volume, and how decide on the best ways to improve traffic flow through that main intersection during the busy times in warm weather.

What the study found was that right turns from Colborne heading south onto Bridge heading west, and from Bridge heading east onto Main heading south, were causing traffic bottlenecks. To relieve those bottlenecks, the right turning lanes have been elongated by one or two car lengths. And yes, Mr. Felip is correct - parking spaces are not allowed within the driving or marked portion of the right lane; which necessarily eliminated a few on-street parking spaces in front of the pharmacy, and a few on-street parking spaces east of the hardware store.

As for snowdrifts blocking seniors' access to the pharmacy, the municipality needs to do a better job of snow ploughing and snow removal in that area.