Flex street closure coming, says downtown councillor

Amid calls to shut down London's new flex street to vehicles during the pandemic, councillor Arielle Kayabaga said an announcement on Dundas Place is forthcoming, though she did not provide specifics.

"We're working on it," Kayabaga said. "There is a lot of surveying that has to be done."

Other jurisdictions around the province have already shut down streets to allow patios to expand, but so far, London has not.

Kayabaga said the city is working with Downtown London to figure out how to roll out a plan, and it's using the city's 'Back to Business' initiative, which is designed to help local businesses recover, to move ahead rather than taking it to the planning committee.

"Lots of patios have opened, and it's just the next step into activating Dundas Place," Kayabaga said, though she couldn't provide more details.

In an interview with Rebecca Zandbergen on CBC's London Morning, Kayaba said, "I wouldn't put a date on it, but in the next few weeks it should be announced."

"I don't think that it's moving slowly," Kayabaga insisted. "The 'Back to Business' plan was set up for that reason, so we can support businesses and expedite the processes."

Kayabaga said an announcement would be forthcoming in a few weeks. But the councillor later clarified on Twitter, suggesting news on Dundas Place could come as early as next week.