Do you think the Railway Greenway needs lighting? The City of Richmond is seeking public feedback to help enhance safety in the area.
From now until June 30, community members are invited to complete an online survey with their comments on how they use the Railway Greenway and whether they support adding lighting to the area between Westminster Highway and Garry Street.
The city will also be holding drop-in style open houses at Branscombe House at 4900 Steveston Highway on the following days:
- Wednesday, June 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 22 from 9 to 11 a.m.
According to background information provided by the city, the project aims to address concerns raised in 2022 about user safety after dark along the greenway.
Railway Greenway's multi-use path (MUP) is "one of Richmond's busiest cycling routes" with 700 to 1,000 daily cycling trips recorded from April to August in 2020 and 2021, according to the city.
It is also home to public amenities such as community gardens and serves as an important ecological corridor in Richmond, offering rainwater storage and filtration, cooling and food sources and habitat.
There are currently no lights within the greenway but some sections near Railway Avenue receive "light spillage from streetlights."
Railway Avenue, which has an on-road bicycle lane and a sidewalk, is an alternative path of travel with streetlights.
A study completed by a qualified electrical engineer in 2023 found "majority of the Railway Greenway MUP does not meet city standards" except for areas less than 30 metres from lit intersections, reads the information package.
The city's considerations will include ecological impact and how it will affect adjacent residents. For example, some forms of lighting may have "detrimental impacts" on plants and animals, which can be reduced by using movement sensors and timers.
For more information and to provide your input, visit letstalkrichmond.ca/RailwayLighting.
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