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Langley Township council not ready to pass mudslide motion

Council feels staff have the assessment of mudslide risks well in hand.

For the second time in two months, no member of Township council would second a motion to assess the risk and potential for mudslides.

Councillor Kim Richter first called for the assessment in  September, following a fatal mudslide that occurred in the Kootenays in July.

She proposed the second motion on Nov. 5, in response to a mudslide on Oct. 31 that sent tonnes of mud sliding down a bank, across 264 Street and into the driveway and carport of a resident.

Richter said that by ignoring her September motion, the Township missed an opportunity to assess the 264 Street slide, which closed the road for several hours. No one was injured.

But Councillor Charlie Fox said on Wednesday that staff explained to council in a memo that maintenance checks of Township roads are regularly carried out.

The most recent slide was weather related and not the result of a something the Township could have predicted.

“I feel confident that the process staff has in place maintains the integrity and safety of citizens in the Township,” Fox said.