Resistance to the removal of 250 parking spaces in the Parc Extension for the construction of new cycle paths is growing and even led to vandalism on Thursday: paint and oil were spread on the road and no parking signs were put up REMOVED.
Posted at 5:02 p.m.
At the intersection of Querbes and d’Anvers avenues on Friday morning, a few dozen demonstrators had set up chairs on the street to prevent workers in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension district from continuing the work on bicycles. Police were on site to prevent riots.
A neighborhood resident who said he agreed with the new order was attacked and insulted by a protester for several minutes before others intervened to calm him down.
“People are angry,” said area councilwoman Mary Deros, who was there at lunchtime to speak to protesters. “How many families with multiple children, people with reduced mobility and the elderly will be affected by the elimination of these 250 parking spaces? »
Ms. Deros is part of the opposition while the borough has a majority of elected officials from Projet Montréal, the party of Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, particularly the borough’s mayor Laurence Lavigne-Lalonde.
The council’s proposed development includes the removal of parking spaces on one side of the street to make way for two cycle paths, one in each direction.
The demonstrators gathered at the site emphasized that they are not against cycle paths, but that they want a solution that allows creating cycle paths without removing so many parking spaces for cars, in such a densely populated area with few residents have a driveway garage.
A solution that would avoid the current tensions between two groups of residents, they add.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The council’s proposed development includes the removal of parking spaces on one side of the street to make way for two cycle paths, one in each direction.
“I’m a plumber and I have to park my truck on the street near my house,” explains Tony Alevizos, a Querbes Avenue resident. “When I come back at the end of the day, there are very few places left. Now it’s getting even worse. »
For the deputy director of a daycare center on the street corner where the demonstration took place, Hélène Stratis, the new bike path means the elimination of a three-part drop-off point where parents used to pass to drop off their children. She also fears her employees will have difficulty parking in the area.
Other demonstrators pointed out that the places reserved for people with disabilities would have to be moved much further away, which would lead to significantly longer travel times.
During the County Council’s last meeting two weeks ago, citizens came to express their dissatisfaction with elected officials. There were so many that the police had to intervene to restrict access to the council chamber.
When questioned by residents of the target area, district officials defended themselves by saying that consultations had taken place on the new designated bike paths. But opponents say the parking removals were only announced last June.
Tensions have also arisen elsewhere in the district in the Saint-Michel district, where the expansion of a cycle path on Avenue Legendre is also leading to a reduction in on-street parking. There have been protests in this area over the past two weeks.