A group of Saint John homeowners are battling against erosion, which they say is threatening their property and public safety.
“In the last two years, all that’s dropped down six or seven feet, straight down,” says John l’Aventure, whose home overlooks a sinking front yard.
“If you stepped out the doors now, you’re going to fall. So, now the house is still stable, no cracks, but obviously if that happens again, this house is in jeopardy, big time.”
Several other homes in the McLaren’s Beach area are threatened by erosion and slope failure.
David McAllister says his home is among them and the problem has been well documented for many years. He says the City of Saint John needs to stop studying the issue and start addressing it.
“Every time they do a study, it’s $40, $50, $60, $80,000 a study and there’s been 20 or 30 studies done,” says McAllister. “Do the math. Look at the figures. The fix here is $1 million, maybe $2 million.”
That fix could be a breakwater; there are examples along the Bay of Fundy of breakwaters being used to slow down or even stop erosion. Some people who own homes along the shoreline say it’s an option the city should be considering in their area too.
Erosion also threatens Sand Cove Road – the only link with the busy Irving Nature Park.
“I think they have to look very carefully at this,” says l’Aventure. “I know they don’t want to set a precedent, helping individuals, but this is helping keep the road viable and maybe helping us citizens too.”
He hopes the city acts sooner, rather than later, as erosion continues to threaten his home.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
