Re: “Cruise ship zone air quality improves,” Aug. 4.
Cruises bring visitors on lifetime trips. For James Bay, the industry brings noise, fumes from speeding buses, tour buses, taxis, motorcycles, cars, large tank and delivery trucks servicing the industry at all hours. Vehicles stop willy-nilly and park illegally. Pedicabs and cyclists use parks and sidewalks to avoid congestion. Ogden Point is a parking lot for vehicles including buses, construction trucks and food vendors. Speed limits are not enforced. Noise and congestion rule the day.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority extolled the virtues of its Ogden Point development plan at a recent open house. Revenue generation is clearly a priority. Past performance is often a predictor of future performance. Fisherman’s Wharf is an example of the authority’s recent “planning” — noisy, congested and overrun with retail operations with little attempt to retain the character of the community. Ogden Point’s future is now visible with a Sunday market, food trucks and bandstand noise audible all the way to Simcoe Street.
Solutions such as safe speed radar signs, playground speed signs, truck-route regulation, lower speed limits, small buses and noise-abatement strategies help. But real planning considers the community context and creates mutual benefits. A plan for Ogden Point is a plan for a key public area in Victoria. Cruise emissions are a small part of the picture. The authority’s plan brings little public benefit except for one-time visitors and tourist operations.
Don Reed
Victoria
