Photos showing drainage issues on Westkal Road in Coldstream (submitted photos/courtesy of District of Coldstream)

By Pete McIntyre

Westkal Road

Residents present petition to council, calling for road upgrades

Sep 12, 2023 | 10:00 AM

UPDATE: Sept. 12, 2023

At their meeting Sept. 11, Coldstream council received the petition from residents requesting that the district make improvements to Westkal Road, regarding drainage, parking and overall safety.

The district said a further report from administration to council is expected in late September to early October.

Original story

Residents living near Kalamalka Lake in Coldstream are calling for road improvements in their area, saying they’ve been neglected for too long.

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A petition with about 50 names on it, will be presented to Coldstream council at their meeting tonight (Sept. 11) from residents of Westkal Road on the section from from Kick Willie Loop to Kalamalka Road.

Petition organizer Stuart Cox said they would like to see their part of Westkal Road upgraded similar to what was done on Westkal Road south of Kick Willie.

“Westkal Road is in a very poor state of repair,” Cox said. “Pot holes are a common site, the asphalt is crumbling along the edges, the speed bumps are poorly marked, parking is limited, and there are not enough storm drains along the roadway. Without a curb system and improved drainage, the situation will only get worse.”

Also on their list of concerns is the traffic at Pumphouse Beach, along with the lack of parking and a drop-off area; Rail Trail bike traffic using exits on the road, the lack of a pedestrian walkway; the need to control runoff into Kalamalka Lake; the need to keep the speed bumps on the road to control traffic; and overhead power lines obstructing views of the lake.

“With the Head of the Lake Plan making its way through council, now seemed to an appropriate time to raise our road issue concerns,” Cox said in a letter to council.

Cox said he received overwhelming support from the neighborhood on the need for improvements to their road.

“Many feel that our area of Westkal Road has been neglected for far too long. It became apparent that road safety is a major concern, and I heard many stories of close calls between cyclists, pedestrians, pets, and traffic,” Cox wrote.

Cox added many of the residents would like to air their concerns at a public meeting with council.