Tuesday, April 15, 2003 (submitted by e-mail)
Traffic study proposal:
Ainslie Wood/Westdale Secondary Plan & Class Environmental AssessmentCOOTES RESTORATION:
Proposal: Removal of Cootes Drive followed by naturalization/restoration of area to wetland habitat.We request that the Ainslie Wood/Westdale Secondary Plan & Class Environmental Assessment look at the potential advantages of permanently closing Cootes Drive to vehicular traffic between McMaster University (at the western entrance/bridge) and East Street (Dundas).
Such a study would look at the benefits of restoring wetland on the area’s ecology, water and air quality, and wild-life habitat.
Such a study should also emphasize alternative transportation along Osler Drive/Main West. Enhancement of transit service should be a priority, including express Dundas to downtown transit links (similar in nature to the Bee Line), high occupancy lanes, and innovative campaigns to promote transit over private automobile use.
Benefits in eco-tourism for Dundas and West Hamilton as a bed and breakfast community and a hub for the bruce trail association should be explored. Strengthening the natural connection between the Lake - Harbour - Cootes - Spencer Creek/Spencer Gorge/Webster/Tews falls would greatly enhance eco-tourism opportunities, as well as positively impact on quality of life.
By restoring the natural world we will be supporting bio-diversity which is integral to all species’ well being. We cannot afford to ignore the ever-increasing damage to the earth perpetuated by humans, in particular the negative impact of single-occupancy vehicle lifestyle choices. As a community we need to acknowledge and then face-up to the requirements for a sustainable future.
Thanks for your time,
Randy Kay
PO Box 19, 1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 1C0
905.525.9140 ext. 26026
"I submitted a request in April to have the Ainslee Woods/Westdale Secondary Plan examine the impact of closing Cootes Drive to traffic between McMaster University and East Street in Dundas".
Could you tell me if there are any plans to include this study in the secondary plan?
From: "Tanguay, Helene" htanguay@hamilton.ca
To: randy@opirg.org
Cc: "Grupe, Vanessa" vgrupe@hamilton.ca; "Lee-Morrison, Christine" cleemorr@hamilton.ca
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 8:35 AM
Subject: Closure of Cootes Drive (Transportation Master Plan Ainslie Wood)
Mr. Kay,
Thank you for your email regarding the Cootes Drive closure suggestion.
Unfortunately, the present Master Plan focuses solely on the Ainslie Wood Westdale neighborhood. While Cootes drive is part of the study area, the impacts of a closure would be felt not only by the residents in Westdale/ Ainslie Wood but also on the businesses and residents in downtown Dundas.
Therefore, the Transportation Master Plan for Westdale/ Ainslie Wood considers the issue as being outside of the scope of the TMP. Moreover, because there are no alternatives to Main Street, the traffic impacts would most probably produce unacceptable levels of congestion on that road. An EA much larger in scale than the one undertaken for the present project would be required to address the issue you raised.
Sincerely,
Helene Tanguay
Our lives and landscape have been fashioned to the automobile's dictates for three-quarters of a century. A rescue movement is in order. Jane Holtz Kay, Asphalt NationHave your group endorse RESTORE COOTES
Contact RESTORE COOTES at ap951@hwcn.org or call 905.627.2696.
Write to Restore Cootes, Box 19, 1280 Main Street West Hamilton ON L8S 1C0