Mid-peninsula more bad than good: student

Letters to the Editor – Flamborough Post
04/02/03

Dear Editor: I am writing in response to your article the Friday, February 7 issue of the Post, New Mid-Peninsula Route Offered.

I learned about the highway proposal last year in Grade 9 geography, where we studied the effects of the highway on the population of Waterdown. Then, in Grade 10 science, we studied the effects of the highway on the environment. Both courses offered a different perspective on the highway issue, so I have formed my own mixed opinion.

First, I believe that a highway in this area will definitely bring businesses and more jobs to the Hamilton area. Jobs, such as work in fast food restaurants, will open up, offering more opportunity for students like me, as well as providing jobs to adults in fields such as road construction.

In addition to providing jobs, the highway may help reduce the amount of traffic along Hwy. 401, making transportation more efficient.

Although this new highway will be good with respect to development and job opportunities, I believe that, because of the proposed location, it will be a waste of money. As far as I understand, the highway could stretch along the Niagara Escarpment and through Flamborough, cutting across the newly developed Agro Fields.

The residents of the Hamilton district have paid high taxes toward the restoration of Hamilton Harbour and the Niagara Escarpment. After spending money on restoration, the government now wants the people of Hamilton to pay more taxes to build this new highway that is going to severely affect all the meticulous work of restoration that is in process.

Isn't that a waste of money?

Finally, the new highway will disrupt and damage the environment. No longer will the nature strip along the escarpment be a tourist attraction.

I personally cannot enjoy nature while cars zoom on a nearby highway and the air is thick with the smell of exhaust fumes. And the pollution won't just deter tourists. The natural habitats found around Hamilton Harbour and the Niagara Escarpment, as well as those in the wetlands behind the Agro fields, will begin to deteriorate. No one will want to have a picnic or play a game of soccer in a dying area.

To conclude, I believe that building the highway will be more detrimental than beneficial.

Therefore, I feel that the planners should find an alternate route in which to place the highway.

Sincerely,

Nicole Bedford

Contact COPE:

The COPE website was updated January 21, 2010
Website design, maintenance and hosting by Virtual Image Hamilton: