Editor, The Times:
Further to the public discussions regarding the proposed roundabout, I was at the open house and noted that the presentation was somewhat one sided.
The highway representatives spoke only about the perceived benefits of a roundabout and said nothing about the potential risks that might be associated with one at the proposed location. When I questioned the representatives about the risk of a highway tanker hauling dangerous liquids trying to negotiate the roundabout and having to make three directional changes while going through, and the momentum shift of the onboard liquids that would subject the unit to rolling over, it was obvious that they had not researched this deeply enough to even comment with any confidence.
I have had 14 years reviewing and investigating trucking accidents which included rollovers of liquid dangerous goods caused by such load shifts and believe this location is too close to the school, the recreation centre, and the medical clinic to be an acceptable risk considering the number of dangerous goods units that pass through Clearwater.
There should have been an opportunity for open public questioning so all attendees could have been advised of the risks as well as the benefits in order that a properly informed opinion could be made.
This being said, I am a supporter of roundabouts used in the appropriate locations. This is not one of them.
Harry James
Clearwater, B.C.