Bruce County Council is pressing ahead with a planning amendment that could see major changes to a road on the Bruce Peninsula.
The amendment changes the county official plan to designate the West Road in South and Northern Bruce Peninsula as a county collector road.
That means some significant improvements are in store, depending on the outcome of the environmental assessment process.
The road was brought into the county highway system in 2005.
The plan is to rebuild it in the Red Bay/Howdenvale area, and further to the north where it curves west of Ferndale.
Red Bay and Howdenvale residents aren’t happy about the impact an upgraded road will have on their community and the natural environment.
Gord Henrich of Red Bay wants the county to complete a comprehensive study on road needs in the area.
He says there have been a lot of economic changes in the area since 2003 when the last study was completed.
Resident Fran Green says the improved road will divide the community in two, and excessive speed is already a problem on the existing road.
County Councillor and Northern Bruce Peninsula Mayor Milt McIver voted in favour of the planning amendment.
He says no matter what project — there will always be opposition, and he says many of the residents concerns are valid.
However, McIver says there’s a process to follow and he believes the Highways Department is good at communicating with residents.
County Councillor and South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Gwen Gilbert cast the lone vote against the amendment.
She says communication and communities need to be respected.
The residents are planning to fight the planning amendment for the road all the way to the Ontario Municipal Board.