More notice needed for traffic rerouting

First of all I would like to clearly indicate that I appreciate all the efforts put together by everyone involved in the Bolton Fall Fair. I am very pleased as a member of the community that we do have an event such as the fair and would like to see this continue in the years to come with appropriate planning.

However, as a member of the community I was very concerned with the organization of the parade and the safety risk it posed to the community.

I would like to raise a concern to the person/ persons responsible for organizing the parade.

It is fair to state that the Town of Bolton has increased in population. Over the past 5- 10 years there has been a considerable increase in both residential and industrial areas. It is unfortunate that the Town of Caledon's planning department does not have a clear understanding that appropriate roads need to be established before issuing residential and industrial permits. Regional Road 50 (Queen Street) is the only major artery for accessing and exiting Bolton with the exception of Albion Vaughan Road.

My point is that this is a serious problem and we cannot afford to conduct parade on an important road such as Regional Road 50 without sufficient planning and proper regulations in place such as sufficient community signage; alternative routing with OPP staffing, and emergency planning.

As a member of the community, I was very distressed to see that none of these measures were addressed that morning of the parade (Sept. 23), especially when I saw an EMS vehicle stopping to ask an OPP officer for routing information. This is serious. There was major traffic in all directions as vehicles had no indication which route to take. Increased traffic in the residential areas with vehicles exceeding the speed limits can endanger children and all other pedestrians.

We all like to have a good time but we need to put our helmets on before we going biking.

The Santa Clause Parade is a yearly event and the community is well aware of the road blockages and extent. Alternative routing is provided and enough notice and signage to the community is given.

As a member of the community, I was not aware of how far the blockage of 50 (Queen Street) extended. I saw no signs in either direction indicating closure or extent.

I am not disturbed as I didn't have anywhere pressing to be, but I know others did and especially that EMS vehicle. There was a lot of chaos that morning that could have been avoided.

Concerned Bolton Citizen