The Borough of Lachine blocks the Barricade

Ten days ago it was the Town of Montreal West blocked the "Emergency Only" barricade after a snowfall. During yesterday's record breaking snowfall it was the Borough of Lachine's turn!!

The first snowfall of the 2012-2013 winter season

This is the view from Montreal West yesterday, Dec.19, 2012.

A resident of Devil's Hill contacted the City of Montreal to complain and was told to call Montreal West, to which she justifiably replied that it was Montreal's responsibility.

This barricade is for emergency vehicles to access our community and it is clear from the photograph that if the police, the fire department or an ambulance were to attempt using this route they would have no possible chance of getting through. They would then be forced to circumnavigate the area and come up the hill delaying their response by at least 4 minutes. If you have a medical emergency, 4 minutes can mean the difference between life and death. If your house is on fire, a 4 minute delay can be disastrous.

According to the Devil's Hill resident who called in the complaint the snow comes from the driveway of the Montreal West residence to the left of the barricade in this photograph. This is nothing less than irresponsible endangerment on the side of Montreal West and sums up the attitude of many residents in this sector who fought tooth and nail for many, many years to have the barricade installed for REASONS OF SAFETY.

It is self-evident from this behaviour that safety is not the real issue.