Councillors vote to keep Blackfriars Bridge open to vehicles
CBC
Members of London city council's civic works committee have voted to keep the Blackfriars Bridge open to eastbound-only vehicle traffic year-round.
The decision goes against a recommendation by staff, who were calling for vehicles to be kept off the bridge between May and October.
Some councillors and a handful of residents spoke in favour of restricting vehicle use on the bridge, either in summer or year-round. Some argued it would result in less wear and tear on the heritage bridge which was built in 1875 and completely rebuilt in 2018 at a cost of more than $8 million.
Others, however, said the bridge provides an important route between Blackfriars and downtown.
"We didn't spend eight million dollars to produce a standalone footbridge," said Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen.
Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, who is not a member of the civic works committee, said it isn't wise to eliminate a route into downtown at a time when so many downtown streets are blocked by construction closures.
"Until the downtown loop is finished and until the rapid transit system is up and running, I am not interested in taking away access points and opportunities for people to come into downtown," said Lewis.
Coun. Sam Trossow said keeping vehicles off the bridge would be a show of political support for council's move to declare a climate change emergency in 2019.
"This is one of the first tests we have to see if we have the political will to carry [the climate change declaration] forward," said Trossow.
The motion to maintain the status quo on the bridge was passed by a 5-1 vote with Coun. Hadleigh McAllister, Van Meerbergen, Coun. Van Meerbergen, Coun. Peter Cuddy, and Coun. Corrine Rahman voting in favour. Coun. Trossow cast the lone vote against.
The decision will next go to full council for final approval.