Dear Editor,
My husband and I moved to Walnut Grove 25 years ago.
We bought the perfect “forever” home for our golden years in a quiet neighbourhood.
Before we purchased our dream home we went to the Township Hall and asked about the country road the house was on (216th Street).
A gentleman behind the counter did some checking and told us there was a plan for a highway connection.
However, he assured us this would be on a street called 217A to the east of our country road.
We left happy, knowing that if and when this did occur, there would be a large green space between our home and this connection.
We now discover that Langley is not honouring the information they gave us.
In fact the mayor even denies this plan existed.
He says the plan was always to use our country road (216th Street).
We are beyond words.
This will bring heavy traffic right past our home, creating noise and air pollution.
I have cardiovascular and lung disease, a condition called COPD.
Living near heavy traffic increases the risk of heart and lung disease.
It also increases our risk of cancer and hearing loss.
So much for our “golden years.”
In fact, the federal government does not recommend choosing a house near a busy street for health reasons.
We learned that Langley had an official community plan.
What a good idea.
However, this new interchange directly conflicts with this plan.
It states that Langley is committed to preservation of good quality air.
Also, that council will encourage the establishment of a green belt as a buffer zone between residential and other land uses.
Also, internal design of residential developments will ensure the separation of residential uses from transportation.
Some of our neighbours have moved.
This does not solve the problem, it just passes it along to someone else.
We have been married 58 years. We love our home and our neighbourhood.
It is time the people stood up to the politicians.
Please join my husband and I by saying no to this interchange.
Betty Nelson, Walnut Grove