London Councillor Pushes for Hamilton Road Safety Overhaul

Ward 1 Councillor Hadleigh McAlister recently made headlines at a London city council meeting by donning an all-black wardrobe to highlight a serious message: the urgent need for safety improvements on Hamilton Road. McAlister’s attire was a stark representation of the lives lost in accidents along this dangerous stretch of road, urging fellow councillors to act before further tragedies occur.

McAlister proposed a study to redesign Hamilton Road, focusing on the section between Adelaide Street and Highbury Avenue. This study would aim to address increasing safety concerns and provide a financial strategy for the 2028-31 city budget cycle. 'If we don’t put a plan in place now, we’re going to see more tragedies occur along this corridor,' he emphasized.

Over the years, several pedestrians and cyclists have been injured or killed on Hamilton Road, making it a hotbed for traffic incidents. Despite recent efforts, such as enhanced lighting, road markings, and increased police patrolling, accidents persist. A prominent case involves a cyclist who lost their life this June.

London police have identified the road as uniquely perilous, citing on-street parking and high traffic volume as contributing factors. The Hamilton Road Business Improvement Area (BIA) supported McAlister’s study proposal in a letter to the city works committee, emphasizing the urgency of a redesign that could incorporate wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

However, the council was divided. The motion was defeated in a 10-5 vote, with only councillors David Ferreira, Anna Hopkins, Sam Trosow, Skylar Franke, and McAlister voting in favor. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis pointed out that Hamilton Road has already undergone significant improvements, stressing the need to prioritize other projects citywide.

McAlister pointed out that while the section of Hamilton Road proposed for redesign is crucial, the broader picture of the city’s transportation infrastructure should not be neglected. The proposed study would have aligned with the Master Mobility Plan, aiming for a third of trips to be taken by bus, bike, or walking by 2050.

Mayor Josh Morgan shared a nuanced perspective, acknowledging McAlister's advocacy but arguing that the decision should be left to city staff. 'We must think about the larger picture,' he stated, indicating that corridor studies within the Master Mobility Plan could still address the issues McAlister raised without prematurely prioritizing specific projects.

The first large-scale components of the Master Mobility Plan, which include essential road projects, are slated for unveiling this fall. These initiatives aim to make London a safer, more efficient city for all its inhabitants, and could potentially incorporate McAlister’s safety concerns for Hamilton Road down the line.