Residents along the 1400 block of Marine Drive are calling on the District of West Vancouver to urgently address a deteriorating and dangerously sloping sidewalk that they say poses a serious hazard to pedestrians.
In a letter to the West Vancouver council, local resident Susan Minchin raised ongoing concerns about the sinking sidewalk, which has resulted in tiles separating from the concrete, creating a trip hazard. Despite repeated appeals dating back to at least 2021, Minchin said little action has been taken to provide a long-term solution.
“Our building has not moved, and the foundation has been reported to be very strong,” Minchin wrote. “It is not rising… it is the sidewalk that is continuing to sink!”
The district has previously attempted temporary fixes, including filling gaps with a material that wears away over time. More recently, Minchin noted, the city proposed covering the affected area with asphalt—an idea she called “unsightly.” Meanwhile, local owners have spent thousands of dollars on repairs, but these measures, she warned, are only temporary, she noted.
Compounding the issue is the steep slope of the sidewalk, which Minchin says is far beyond what accessibility guidelines allow. According to her letter, some sections are sloping at 7.3 degrees—significantly higher than the 1.15-degree standard outlined in B.C.’s Building Accessibility Handbook.
“This sidewalk is a patchwork of repairs and is really dangerous,” she wrote. “We think you would be hard-pressed to find any sidewalk on Marine Drive in worse condition than this one.” The uneven and sloping walkway, Minchin pointed out, is particularly hazardous for those using canes, walkers, scooters, or wheelchairs.
I had written previously to mayor and council about this to no avail. Glad that it is getting some public airing. Many sidewalks in that area are in need of attention.