The City of Surrey won’t be moving forward quite yet on a controversial new road that would cut through Hawthorne Park, school grounds and some homes’ front yards.
The proposed 105 Avenue Connector would link the Guildford neighbourhood to Surrey City Centre, and the city says it will be needed once construction begins on a new light rail project for the city.
At a council meeting Monday night, Council took a pass on approving or scrapping the project, instead asking staff to investigate options and return to council with a new report.
WATCH: Surrey residents rally against proposed road through Hawthorne Park
Steve Pettigrew with the group Save Hawthorne Park addressed the crowd outside council chambers.
“Their tactic now is to delay. So delay, delay, delay,” Pettigrew said.
“They think if they delay that we are going to forget about them. They’re maybe going to try and push this into Christmas, so we want to make sure we keep vigilant on this so we’ll be back here in a few weeks and let’s see if we can double our numbers.”
Eleven-year-old Miguel Rodriguez also spoke to the crowd.
“They say if we just delay this for these people they’ll just give up and leave. No, we won’t do that. If anybody is hearing us from those who want to build that road we’re telling you we’re not giving up.”
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Earlier this week, it was revealed that opponents of the road had failed to garner enough signatures by a Sept. 22 deadline to force the project back to the drawing board.
WATCH: Plans for new road irk Surrey residents
Campaigners collected about 11,000 of the 30,000 signatures needed.
The two-lane 105 Avenue Connector would run from Whalley Boulevard to 150 Street.
The city is proposing to acquire five acres of land adjacent to Hawthorne Park to offset losses, expand the park’s footprint by one acre and add new trees and amenities.
Opponents say the park is designated as an ecologically sensitive area, and that any construction will permanently change its character.
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