Active Transportation Improvements + Water Shortage

Issue #650

Author

Carla McNeil
July 07, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ⛅️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds

 😜 Rain Joke - Why does July rain feel warm? 🥵☔️ 

 🗓️ New West Events - More Than a Few, Just for You

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Angela H.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Active Transportation Improvements + Water Shortage

 🔗 Use the links above to skip to your favorite section.

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Thank you, Angela - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 33.3 1920 - Record low 7.2 1901, 1902

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Tuesday July 07, 2026

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Journey Down the River – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

📖 Storytime and Craft (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🩼 Falls Prevention – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🧶 Youth Knitting and Crochet Club (6-18 years) – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🎶 Art in Moody Park: Live Music – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🎤 Ukulele Level 1 at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

Wednesday July 08, 2026

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Journey Down the River – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🎨 Queensborough Crafternoon (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎤 Find Your Voice at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

👪️ Family Building Free Play (All Ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Drag Bingo & Trivia – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Thursday July 09, 2026

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Journey Down the River – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🍅 New West Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎙️ Rock Room Karaoke Nights at The Legion – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎸 Ukulele Jam (8-adult) – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

❓️ Steel & Oak Thursday Trivia Night – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎭️ Comedy Exposed at the Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

💃 Salsa In The Park – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

The City of New Westminster is preparing to make safety and accessibility upgrades along London Street as part of its Active Transportation Network Plan.

Council approved the Active Transportation Network Plan in October 2022, launching a five-year effort to build a connected network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the city. The plan is intended to link neighbourhoods with commercial areas, civic facilities, schools, parks and regional routes while making active transportation safer and more convenient for people of all ages and abilities.

The London Street project will focus on the corridor between Eighth Street and the BC Parkway. The work is being supported with funding from TransLink.

The City held public engagement on the project from May to June 2025 and adjusted the design based on community feedback. Construction is expected to begin in August 2026.

Planned upgrades are intended to create a more comfortable active transportation connection by reducing traffic volumes, lowering vehicle speeds and adding separation in busier sections. The route is designed to better support people walking, cycling, wheeling and using other non-motorized ways to get around.

One of the key changes will be the addition of pullover pockets for vehicles and cyclists. These spaces will allow users to pull over and yield to oncoming traffic. The design includes small quick-build curb extensions that restrict parking in limited areas while creating more room for people to safely pass. Following public feedback, the City adjusted the design so that only four parking spaces per block would be removed to create the pullover areas.

The project will also include new signage to clarify existing no-stopping restrictions near intersections. Vehicles currently parking too close to corners along London Street can block sightlines and create safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The signs are intended to make the existing restrictions clearer and improve visibility at intersections.

Traffic diversion measures are also planned to reduce shortcutting through the neighbourhood. Instead of using a series of alternating one-way vehicle blocks, the City plans to install three traffic diverters. Star diverters are planned at Thirteenth Street and London Street and at Tenth Street and London Street, allowing right turns only at those intersections. A separate diverter will create one-way westbound vehicle traffic on London Street for one block between 20th Street and 19th Street, preventing eastbound vehicles from entering London Street at 20th Street.

Additional improvements along the corridor include upgraded street lighting, new paint and signage, an improved crossing at 23rd Street and upgraded Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons for pedestrian crossings at 12th Street.

The City says a detailed construction notice outlining dates and traffic impacts will be sent to nearby residents and businesses before work begins.

A growing disagreement between Metro Vancouver municipalities over water restrictions is putting renewed attention on why New Westminster residents are being asked to conserve water this summer.

While New Westminster and most Metro Vancouver communities have been following Stage 3 water restrictions since early June, Surrey has adopted less restrictive rules, allowing some outdoor water uses that remain prohibited elsewhere.

The issue was raised at a recent Coquitlam City Council meeting, where councillors stressed that Metro Vancouver operates a shared regional drinking water system. They argued that conservation efforts only work when all municipalities do their part.

The restrictions were introduced because of low snowpack, hot weather, and ongoing work to upgrade a major regional water main, all of which have increased pressure on the region's water supply.

For New Westminster residents, the message remains the same: Stage 3 restrictions are still in effect. Lawn watering is prohibited, and washing vehicles, driveways, and other outdoor surfaces is restricted, with limited exceptions. The city continues to encourage residents to reduce water use to help protect the region's shared supply during the summer months.

Officials say keeping daily water consumption below regional targets helps ensure there is enough water available for homes, businesses, and emergency services, including firefighting, during periods of high demand.

🔍️ Spot the details

Today’s Tin Man mystery has some great clues.

🎁 This week’s prize (July 02 - July 08):
Win a $25 Bingo Package from North Fraser Metis Association.

Think you know the spot?
Head to Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

You play on Facebook and Instagram. You win in the newsletter.

Thanks to Dynamic Health & Fitness and Fuel Hut for sponsoring

🕵️ “The First Detective on the Scene” 🕵️‍♀️ prize!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why does July rain feel warm? 🥵☔️ 

☁️ It’s just sky sweat. 💦 

Groan O' Meter

What do you say?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Click to Share the newsletter

Shall we continue with a daily meme? Vote Today.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Want to see your local business in the spotlight?
We’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight, where thousands of New West residents discover what’s new and local.

Not a business owner but have a favorite local spot?

Tell us all about it - email us at [email protected]

What did you think of today’s issue? (anonymous)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.