Latest news with #ClaytonPark
CTV News
18-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Public offers opinions on proposed bike lane in Clayton Park, N.S.
Halifax held public sessions for feedback on proposed bike lanes in part of the city. Halifax held public sessions for feedback on proposed bike lanes in part of the city. People in the Lacewood drive area in Clayton Park, N.S., were invited to share their thoughts on the proposed bicycle lanes for Parkland and Regency Park drives on Wednesday during sessions from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 'We're here today because Halifax Regional Municipality is consulting with residents about a proposed bike lane for Parkland Drive and Regency Drive. This project is being looked at as a possibility, do residents want it and also, if so, what designs could work for people,' says are councillor Janet Steele. Those who attended Wednesday's meeting shared many ideas for how to improve the plan. Currently, the proposed design will include protected, on-street bike lanes within the existing width of the street. This means no utilities or trees would need to be removed, although some street parking would be lost. 'Cyclists will have a dedicated lane going each way on Parkland Drive and on Regency Park Drive and eventually Regency Park will push through to Washmill Lake Drive, which will connect people to other parts of the city,' says Steele. This bikeway will connect key neighbourhood destinations including Belchers Marsh, the Canada Games Centre, Keshen Goodman Library and Halifax West High school. The Halifax Northwest Trails Association encourages more bike lanes. 'We have 10 little trails that are separated from each other,' says Jessica Boyd, chair of the association. Boyd says people currently walk or drive to the trails, but their goal is to make them more accessible, and bike lanes would help. 'It would be a fabulous thing for Halifax to have that network totally separate from the road,' says Boyd. The municipality will look at the intersections in the study area to see how they can be made more accessible and safer. 'I was concerned that as a pedestrian in a wheelchair that things would need to be more accessible for me, so I feel much better they seem to be listening to us so that's good,' says resident Joann Nodding. New locations for marked pedestrian crossings will be explored as well. 'For other residents, they may be concerned about potential parking loss, I'm hearing about that. Some residents are comfortable with using the Mainland Linear Trail for cycling; however they do point out that the Mainland Linear Trail is not available to them in the dark,' says Steele, who notes people have said they feel a cycling trail on the road would be better looked after in the winter. 'I think it's a great idea. I was concerned more about how they were going to do it. The streets are rather large, but I was concerned about winter and parking and so far they have not lots of options,' says resident Janice Rivest. Residents can also provide feedback on the municipality's website. The survey is open until July 2. The goal is to complete the project by the end of August. Clayton Park Halifax is proposing a bike lane in Clayton Park. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
20-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Free shingles vaccines for N.S. seniors begin next week
Social Sharing Bill VanGorder says he and many people he knows didn't need convincing to get the shingles vaccine. "Because we were just so worried about getting it," he said. "We've seen our friends and our relatives get shingles. So people who were fortunate enough to be able to pay for [the vaccine] did, but there's still a lot of people who are hesitating." VanGorder, a member of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, was on hand Tuesday as Premier Tim Houston made good on an election promise that should remove any hesitation among seniors related to cost. "The vaccine is often just out of reach financially for too many people," Houston said during a news conference in Clayton Park. "We really want to make sure that we remove the barriers to maintain opportunities for people to be vaccinated and to be healthy and thriving." Nova Scotians 65 and older can now book an appointment for a free shingles vaccine, with appointments beginning May 28. The vaccine, which comes in two doses, costs about $400. Appointments can be booked through a family doctor or the health authority's online vaccine booking service. The cost to the province of picking up the tab for seniors is estimated to be about $26 million this fiscal year. There are some provinces that cover the cost of the vaccine beginning at a younger age. Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said the risk of a severe complication from shingles begins to increase at age 50, but it's age 65 where the rate of hospitalization as a result of those complications begins to increase. "It's really a balance of where do we get the greatest benefit from the vaccine, knowing there's lots and lots of other priorities in the health-care system," he told reporters. Removing barriers to accessing the vaccine helps prevent issues that can create added strain on the health-care system, said Strang. One in five seniors who get shingles also get post-traumatic neuralgia, a painful condition that targets nerves. It can lead to a loss of function and increased frailty. "The direct and indirect impacts of shingles can be quite significant in seniors," said Strang. VanGorder said seniors are feeling "all kinds of financial pressures" and Tuesday's announcement eases a burden while allowing them to address a health concern.
