Councillor Rick Farrell discussed the matter while delivering the public works committee report at last week’s regular council meeting.
Members of the public works committee inspected the road and raised a number of concerns.
The gravel road was built without permits across provincial, municipal and private land. It is believed it was meant to provide access between High Street and The T’Railway. The road also connected the T’Railway to the Trans-Canada Highway.
Councillor Farrell said the steep road presents many safety and liability issues for the town.
Town Manager Melvin Keeping said he contacted the T’Railway Council and the provincial highways department. Neither had given permission to build connectors to the road or T’Railway. He said access to the TCH is closely monitored.
“The RCMP couldn’t even get access off the TCH for their building,” said Mr. Keeping.
He said the incline was so steep, it would be easy for anyone on an ATV to flip backwards while ascending the hill.
The road also ended directly on High Street, next to the BCJ Tax Centre building. Mr Keeping said it would be easy for someone to fly up the hill and into oncoming traffic.
Mayor Brian Button said taxpayers will not pay the cost of site remediation. It will be up to the person who built the road without permission.
“If they can’t do it and we do it, the expenses will be forwarded back to them,” said the Mayor.
He also said the town is not opposed to development, but proper permission and permits must be obtained first.
