'Save Balls Bridge': Citizens claim victory in gravel pit fight
The “Stop the Pit” signs along Little Lakes Road near Goderich, Ont. tell you how most residents feel about a proposed gravel pit.
“It’s just the wrong thing, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and we all think it shouldn’t happen,” says Rebecca Garrett, leader of the Friends of Balls Bridge and Little Lakes Road citizen’s group.
Garrett and her fellow citizens have been fighting an application from V.B Sand and Gravel to take as much as 500,000 tonnes of sand and gravel a year from 30 hectares of land in the Municipality of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, within Huron County.
“We have far more aggregate already approved for extraction than we need in the next 20 years, so approving another quarry in Ontario rapidly is not something we need,” says David Donnelly, an environmental lawyer who is representing the citizen’s group in their legal fight against the proposed pit.
Donnelly says a recent decision by the Ontario Land Tribunal, granting a 10 day hearing instead of the normal three day hearing, into the gravel pit plan is a huge victory.
“It’s a huge deal. Particularly for residents and potentially, First Nations, up in this beautiful part of Ontario,” he says.
While the gravel pit company contends they plan to operate the pit for 15 to 20 years and will then rehabilitate the area afterwards, local residents don’t want it at all. They suggest the proximity to Balls Bridge, a restored 1885 architectural gem, and more than five species at risk along Little Lakes Road makes the proposed pit a mistake.
“Many, many different reasons that make this a very special place where there shouldn’t be an open pit, below water, aggregate mine. It shouldn’t happen here,” says Garrett.
Garrett and Donnelly say the 10 day hearing — to be heard a year from now — will give them plenty of time to make their case, that Little Lakes Road and Ball’s Bridge should be protected.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.