By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: June 23, 2012
Kay Protheroe stood in the kitchen, talking to her husband, planning a lazy Sunday afternoon, when she saw a blaze of orange speed past her window.
A brand new Mustang had hit a hydrant, flipped, and lay upside down in the ditch kitty-corner from her home.
“It was like a scene from a movie,” Protheroe said, pointing to the ditch from her living room window.
Her husband and a neighbour ran to check the occupants, and Protheroe called 911.
When she recollected herself, her thoughts inevitably turned to what she saw–and its horrendous possibilities.
“My son rides a bike on this street. We walk on this street every day,” she said.
Similar worry has coursed through other residents.
The car crash might have been the result of an adrenalized lottery winner, but it has catalyzed the neighborhood to do something about speeding cars on Guilford Drive.
There are no sidewalks, no speed bumps, no speed signs, or four-way stop signs on their street.
Protheroe—and other Guilford residents– are now petitioning the district to add some trafic calming measures.
The owner of Parkside restaurant and Guilford resident, Lynne Park, hopes to speak to the council on Tuesday.
Park has lived on Guilford Drive for the past ten years, and has seen a shift in its character. Valleycliffe is booming with kids, part of the demographic that has brought young families to Squamish.
“There is at least 30-40 kids who live on this street, ranging anywhere from four year old to pre-teens,” she said.
Still, it’s not unusual to see people speeding on the street, she added.
“As soon as they come on to Guilford after that stop sign, they just push it to the floor,” she said.
With more houses being planned in Valleycliffe, it will get worse, she fears.
Neil Deo, Guilford resident and father of two young children, said he often sees cars doing more than 70 km/h on Guilford.
He said the car crash has reinforced the belief that district should put a traffic calming device on the street.
“Whether it’s speed bumps or stop-signs, there must be a some way to reduce the speed here,” he said.
Communications manager Christie Smith said she would look into the issue, but couldn’t get back until press time.
The Squamish Caveman says
I live off Guilford and think these people are using exaggeration to get their way. I’ve lived in the area for 5 years and never seen abusive speeds like they’re saying. Post the speed limit and leave it at that. We don’t need a police state because you want to create your safety bubble around your kids.
Trevor Mils says
It is not just your street. It is all over. Being able to drive a car is no longer a privilege, it is a guaranteed right to do what ever one wants to do in a car. I take my daughter to Mamquam school and see people passing on the right those that are making the left into the parking lot. There are often kind on the side of the street there. I have often thought of making a bumper sticker that says “Sorry I am not in a hurry, I hope you do not mind”.
Courtney Driver says
I am on Gilford and Arbutus Dr and yes.. there are a ton of speeding cars that drive past our place.. As a resident on this busy street I am NOT into driving over a bunch of speed bumps to get to my house. I would be interested in a round about. 🙂
Glenne Campbell says
Roads all over Squamish are classified as ‘rural ‘ hence the inexpensive, automobile based design elements with total lack of concern for pedestrian safety. District of Squamish wants to grow the town to collect tax dollars, spending as little money as possible ( is housing easier to attract and cheaper to approve than industry?). The liability of the Sea to Sky highway has been transferred to the township. This is not the first area of discussion and not likely to be the last.
Anti-Speedster says
The same issue exists on the way up to Hospital Hill, where I live, and includes the transit bus hurtling by my house at ridiculous speeds. Several neighbors echo these sentiments. I’d gladly drive over a few speed bumps in exchange for a safer street.