UPDATE: Bella Vista Road safety measures under review

“Thank you for bringing your concerns forward. I’ve never had an accident damage my house ever, let alone three times, so I can imagine how frustrating that would be,” Coun. Kelly Fehr remarked.

Three vehicles have left the road since 2007 crashing into Bunn’s backyard, damaging the fence, deck and home to the tune of nearly $40,000.

“Sure, the insurance company of the other person pays, but at the end of the day, my insurance has gone up three times over these accidents. That is not fair to me. I’m sitting in my house, minding my own business and my insurance is getting jacked up, because someone has had an accident. It’s not fair,” Bunn admonished council.

Bunn, who is also a professional driver, told council people routinely exceed the 50 km/h speed limit, which results in drivers losing control, especially on the curve by Planet Bee.

“If anyone has driven Bella Vista at this corner — I know Miss Bunn said people are doing 50, 60, 70 (km/h) — I will tell you there are people doing 80 and 90 (km/h) along that road. You will lose control on that corner because it is a little sharp when you are going to the right. I don’t think it is inappropriate to ask for a sign at that corner,” Coun. Akbal Mund stated.

City of Vernon Transportation Manager Amanda Watson indicated that another barrier warrant analysis will be conducted, along with a review for the crosswalk and speed signage on the route. Watson will report back to council on the analysis and related costs.

Original:

You could forgive Caryne Bunn for not wanting to sit in her backyard following her family’s experiences over the past several years with traffic on Bella Vista Road.

Her home at 5201 Sandon Place backs onto the road, and has had nearly $28,000 in damage done to the back of her home from vehicles leaving the road and landing in her property on two different occasions, with a third incident in the settlement stage.

5201 Sandon Place (photo credit: Google Earth)

“We residence [sic] are uncomfortable on having children play in the yards or entertaining with guests in our yards. This should not be a concern, we should be able to enjoy the Okanagan sun, beauty and sounds of the quails,” Bunn wrote to Vernon council.

Bunn, who will make a presentation to city council at their meeting Tuesday (May 25), has previously implored the city to put concrete barriers on the residential side of Bella Vista Road behind Sandon Place, but nothing has happened.

“This part of the road is scary. People drive way too fast and there is really no safe way to have our children use it to get to downtown or to Allenby safely. The speed on this road is getting worse. The traffic picks up when Davison Orchards and Planet Bee are at full capacity,” Sandon Place resident Tanya Belanger wrote council.

The current speed limit on Bella Vista Road is 50 km/h

“Please be advised that the speed that vehicles travel on Bella Vista Road is unacceptable. There have been many accidents on the area between Planet Bee and Davidson Road. We need to have more speed signs and barriers put in place along the residential side of that area as well as a cross walk,” resident Narinder Bal said in a letter to council.

by Kevin Rothwell

UPDATE: Bella Vista Road safety measures under review

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