We like Beacon Avenue the way it is. I think parking is easier in the one way section, with both sides of the street to choose from. I believe that with the crosswalks it is much safer than it would be as a two-way street.
My husband and I recently went back to our old home town in Southern Ontario to find the main street had been changed from one way (which it had been for more than 40 years) to two way, with parking on both sides. The traffic flow was not improved by the change and the reason was to revitalize the downtown core — but it was a complete failure.
I have not closely followed the debate but I know that there are those who feel that making Beacon two way would encourage tourism and shopping. I think this is highly unlikely. If you are worried about people coming off of the Anacortes ferry and getting confused, perhaps attractive signage would help. I do not think that Beacon being one way is the problem.
Since I shop in Sidney regularly and often park at one end and walk down to the other and back, enjoying the walk and visiting many of our favourite shops, I do not see changing the traffic flow of Beacon to be an improvement.
Please do not waste the taxpayer’s money.
Janet Parker
Sidney