The New Brunswick government has abandoned measures to counter the pandemic, most of the deputies have dropped the masks in the Legislative Assembly, but the wharf in Shippagan is still fortified by the presence of several tens of meters of metal fences.
Signs indicate that these fences and gates are intended to protect public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
.
These posters were installed near the gates and fences all around the Shippagan wharf.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
The fortification
of the Shippagan wharf began two years ago with the appearance of mechanical barriers.
The cycle route is blocked
These fences aimed at protecting the public are causing headaches for Véloroute officials, who are concerned about the safety of cyclists and walkers. The latter must circumvent the place by passing, in particular, along the boulevard JD Gauthier.
Cyclists and walkers come up against this metal fence, installed on the Véloroute de la Péninsule acadienne.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
Those responsible for this journey, presented as a gem of the local tourism industry
therefore fear that users will be seriously injured.
The current situation regarding access to the territory of the Shippagan wharf is detrimental to the success of the Shippagan cycling network and to the entire Acadian Peninsula
says Serge Dugas, general manager of the Véoloroute.
These barriers block the Véloroute trail, built to standard by the city of Shippagan,
he specifies. A detour to circumvent this sector is very unlikely given the lack of adequate parallel streets and the costs to be expected.
Here is, in normal times, the route of the Véloroute de la Péninsule acadienne in Shippagan.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
According to him, hiking must absolutely be pleasant and safe.
Serge Dugas indicates that he supports all steps aimed at improving the situation.
” A good discussion with the port administration could find other solutions to protect activities at the wharf while allowing passage at all times on the territory’s bike path and access to this community attraction of Shippagan. »
The Port Authority of Shippagan, responsible for the site, remains silent. Its president, Jean-Marc Mallet, did not respond to our interview request.
At the Shippagan Port Authority office, no one wants to talk about fences and gates.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
In December 2020, the federal deputy for Acadie-Bathurst, Serge Cormier, expressed his unease about the presence of barriers at the Shippagan wharf.
I will inquire further to see if there is no way to find common ground
he had assured. The docks in the region are part of our DNA, of our culture.
It may be spoof
Louis-Philippe Daneault, a retired resident assures that he did not realize that these fences were installed because of the pandemic.
Louis-Philippe Daneault finds that the pandemic has its back wide when it comes to fences and barriers around the Shippagan wharf.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
” Ah well there! It may be spoofing a little bit [de] blame it on the pandemic. »
Another retiree, Achille Duguay, originally from Saint-Isidore but who has lived in Shippagan for thirty years, no longer knows how to explain the situation to his friends from outside who come to visit him.
When we have visitors, we want to show them the wharf, the boats because we are a place of fishermen here
he said. But, we are not able to do it. I’m sorry to see things like this.
As for the silence of the port authority officials, Louis-Philippe Daneault does not mince his words.
It’s because they don’t have a valid reason
he decides. Why are they hiding like this? If they have valid reasons, let them go.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca