Slip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you’re slip slidin’ away
Slip Slidin' Away by Paul Simon, Greatest Hits Etc., 1977
If you drive in White Rock there are two things you need to know. Never cruise around with less than a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle because if you head up one of the many hillside roads that measure 23 degrees in slope, there is a chance you may run out of fuel. The other thing to realize is that in inclement weather or with a heavy long load, you should avoid Oxford Street hill like the plague.
Oxford Street in the middle of White Rock heads up from Marine Drive at the beach and plateaus out at Thrift Ave. before ending at North Bluff Rd. It has a 23% grade but what makes it exceptional is its elevation gain of over 85 metres in a 700 metre stretch. It even has its own time trial bicycle hill climb race, the Oxford Hill Climb, that is held at the end of June (https://www.whiterockcity.ca/Calendar.aspx?EID=3768). You know it is steep when the sidewalk has large ridges in it to help people walking up the slope. When it snows or is icy, the City of White Rock puts barricades up to stop people from heading down the hill and turning their vehicles into giant sleds. The addition of traffic islands along the route have helped to reduce cars crashing into houses but it still happens all too often.
Unfortunately it is not only in winter that slip-sliding away on Oxford is a problem. During summer when there is rain after long periods of hot and dry weather, the asphalt surface is slick with oil that has dripped off leaking vehicles or simply oozed up from the roadway. While driving down this steep street can be tricky in the rain, heading up the hill when it's wet can result in the loss of traction, your vehicle stalling out, or even sliding back down Oxford. Oxford Street resident Naomi Lockwood McKay contacted me with her concerns plus a number of photographs and a couple of videos showing vehicles slipping down Oxford Hill. Her compilation tape that she hopes to play for White Rock Council shows 19 vehicles losing traction, crashing, or having to turn around.
Search "Oxford Street crash White Rock" online to see images of the carnage and mayhem.
It is not like this is an unknown problem that is suddenly starting to happen. Just like when it snows and Oxford Street is closed by the City with barricades, Oxford hill should be closed after long hot dry periods when heavy rain is forecast. That is a simple and cheap way to end some of the crashes and dangerous driving conditions that drivers experience. There are plenty of other ways to go from uptown to Marine Drive that do not involve a long hill with a steep grade. Unfortunately, White Rock is a tourist town that attracts people from all over who may not be aware of the dangers involved with navigating Oxford Street during a rainstorm like what happened here on August 15 where a month of rain fell in only one day.
There is another way for White Rock to deal with their steep streets by installing anti-skid surfaces onto the steep hills in their city. Some of the most common types are as follows:
High-Friction Surface Treatment (HFST): Involves applying a thin layer of high-friction aggregate and bonding agent to the road surface. This type of surfacing is highly effective in reducing skidding and is often used on high-speed roadways, intersections, steep hills and areas prone to hydroplaning.
Textured Surfaces: Features patterns or grooves carved into the road pavement creating added traction for vehicles and pedestrians. These surfaces are commonly found on bridge decks, ramps, and pedestrian crossings.
Porous Asphalt: Is designed with an open-graded structure that allows water to drain through the pavement, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and maintaining traction in wet conditions.
The township of Langley uses a HFST traction coating on steep hills, sharp corners and at intersections where slippage has been a problem in the past. In Strawberry Heights a dangerous small hill leading onto 56 Ave. was coated with this product in an area plagued by crashes. The difference was amazing, with my vehicle stopping so quickly (I had to test it out) that I was actually amazed. The City of Delta applied porous asphalt on a section of 72 Ave. just west of 112 St. where vehicles headed to Hwy. 91 were always rear-ending each other. I first thought this strange asphalt was for noise abatement as the open surface is very quiet to drive on. It greatly improves traction allowing for quick stopping and no skidding even in the rain.
The City of White Rock should investigate using any or all of these traction enhancements on Oxford Street plus all of the other 23 percent grade streets across the hillside. They obviously have a safety problem on these streets and should take the necessary steps to stop the problem and improve public safety. Surrey is also a scofflaw at ignoring this problem and not taking necessary steps to deal with sections of roads where vehicles are often crashing due to steep and slippery roads. Close to home, 24 Ave next to the Crescent Park elementary is a steep hill right before the traffic light where I have seen a three car pileup and other accidents. The west end of 16 Ave. and Ocean Park Road is another nasty corner with a ditch that acts like a car magnet. Another spot is the north end of 140 St. where the hillside meets Crescent Road. I could literally go on for hours about these dangerous hilly stretches.
If Delta and Langley Township can use anti-skid coatings on their problem roads, there is no reason why White Rock, and especially the big city of Surrey cannot use these products for known dangerous roadways, corners and intersections. I'm sure that the residents of White Rock who have watched cars slipping backwards down Oxford hill or crashing into their yards and houses would love to see something done about this problem. The folks who live on Oxford Street need to start filming the action when it rains and posting the videos on the local community Facebook pages or sharing them with the media. It will take a concerted effort by the public to make White Rock City Hall address this dangerous situation that they have allowed to exist for far too long. Improving traction will increase safety and decrease crashes, it's just that simple.
Naturally yours,
Don PItcairn
I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People.
Local News
August 26, 2025
Final Day - Perhaps Final Sale
What if Cloverdale broke free from the city of Surrey and became “The Township Of Cloverdale”
For generations, Cloverdale has stood as the historic heart of Surrey home to the fairgrounds, the racetrack, and a proud farming and small-town heritage that shaped this region long before Surrey became a sprawling metropolis. But today, our identity and history are at risk of being lost under Surrey’s larger priorities.
I believe the time has come to start a conversation about Cloverdale breaking free from Surrey and becoming the Township of Cloverdale.
Why Cloverdale Could Stand on Its Own
Town Hall: The Surrey Archives building, right in the heart of Cloverdale, could be converted into a Town Hall. Symbolic, historic, and central — it’s the perfect civic home for a new township.
Policing: We already have an RCMP detachment in downtown Cloverdale, which could serve as our contracted police service, just like many smaller BC municipalities do.
Fire Services: Cloverdale already has multiple fire halls that cover the area. These could continue under a township contract until Cloverdale built its own system.
Council & Governance: Cloverdale is home to passionate civic groups, including the Surrey Historical Society, the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce, and neighborhood associations. These groups could help shape the first local council, ensuring leadership that understands Cloverdale’s unique heritage and priorities. Protecting Cloverdale’s Identity
By separating from Surrey, Cloverdale could:
Save Fraser Downs: As its own township, Cloverdale could designate the fairgrounds and racetrack as protected heritage and community lands, ending the constant redevelopment threats from Surrey’s city hall.
Protect Farmland: Cloverdale’s agricultural base could be preserved and promoted, rather than being slowly rezoned away.
Strengthen Community Identity: A local government would finally focus on Cloverdale — not just Whalley, Guildford, or Newton — when making decisions.
Boost Civic Pride: Residents would have a government that reflects our community’s values, history, and priorities. Boundaries of the Township
The Township of Cloverdale could be framed by natural and logical boundaries:
North: 80th Avenue (including Clayton Heights for population strength)
South: The Nicomekl River
West: The Serpentine River
East: 196th Street (the Langley border)
This would give Cloverdale a strong population base, farmland to preserve, and a natural geographic identity. The Next Step
This proposal is not about turning away from Surrey out of anger, but about preserving and protecting what makes Cloverdale special before it’s gone forever.
We need to begin a community discussion:
Should Cloverdale seek independence and township status?
How can we organize to preserve Fraser Downs and our farmland?
Would residents support slightly higher taxes in exchange for greater control and stronger heritage protections?
If Cloverdale doesn’t act now, we risk becoming just another neighborhood swallowed by Surrey’s urban sprawl. But if we unite, Cloverdale could once again stand proudly on its own, with its heritage and community protected for future generations.
August 24, 2025
Make South Surrey a part of White Rock
As if it wasn't enough there is one petition for White Rock to rejoin Surrey (YELL IT LIKE IT IS editorial below) now comes word of a push to have just South Surrey and White Rock to become a new White Rock.
The Issue; Why South Surrey Should Join White Rock?
The line between South Surrey and White Rock has always been more political than practical. In reality, everything south of 32nd Avenue and west of Highway 15 already lives and breathes as part of the White Rock community. The Crescent beach area is basically White Rock. Residents shop in the same stores, dine in the same restaurants, drive the same roads, and share the same shoreline. Yet, an arbitrary boundary has kept South Surrey south of 32nd Avenue out of White Rock’s official jurisdiction.
It’s time to change that.
Merging South Surrey below 32nd Avenue into White Rock would create a unified, stronger community. White Rock is already known as a vibrant seaside city, but its small geographic footprint limits its growth and resources. Meanwhile, South Surrey residents identify more with White Rock than with the broader Surrey municipality, yet their taxes and governance flow into a city they often feel disconnected from.
Joining White Rock would mean:
Unified identity: Residents south of 32nd could finally say they are part of White Rock, matching the culture and lifestyle they already live.
Focused governance: A smaller, more dedicated municipal government could better address local needs than being absorbed as a minor district within the sprawling City of Surrey.
Economic synergy: White Rock businesses would benefit from an expanded population base, while South Surrey residents would enjoy direct investment in their own community.
Community pride: A shared White Rock identity would strengthen the social and cultural ties that already exist.
Another critical factor is policing. White Rock is served by the RCMP, a force with decades of experience, lower operating costs, and proven effectiveness for a community of its size. In contrast, Surrey’s newly formed Surrey Police Service is already facing challenges—struggling with rising crime rates, staffing, and the financial burden of building a force from scratch. Residents south of 32nd Avenue would benefit from the stability, efficiency, and reliability of White Rock’s policing model rather than being caught in the uncertainty of Surrey’s experiment.
Everything south of 32nd Avenue and west of highway 15 is White Rock in practice. It’s time for the borders to reflect reality.
An injured seagull found in White Rock back in 2000, like many of us has returned to White Rock.
The Glaucous winged gull was recently captured again 24 years later in White rock by Environment and Climate Change Canada researchers as part of their Salish Gull Project.
The Salish Sea Gull Project is an integral part of the Salish Sea Marine Bird Monitoring and Conservation Program, the release continued, adding the five-year program monitors marine birds as indicators of the health of the Salish Sea and collects data for conservation efforts. The project is especially significant, the release said, as gull species are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994 and have been identified as a stewardship priority by ECCC.
The Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. and ECCC encourage the public to report any sightings of banded gulls, like the one highlighted in this story, to the Salish Sea Gull Project.
There was a large interest in candidates hoping to fill one of the two vacant seats on White Rock council.
Voting takes place on September 27, 2025
The election results will be made public on October 01, 2025
Nominations Received
The following individuals have submitted their nomination documents to become candidates in the 2025 By-Election in the City of White Rock. Nomination documents for each candidate can be viewed by selecting the candidate's name. Candidates are listed in the order in which they submitted their documents. (Click here to view the list of Contact Information for Candidates)
Candidates for Councillor - Two (2) to be elected:
Infrastructure upgrades to enhance storm water management in White Rock
White Rock Mayor Knight/Jagrup Brar Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals/Ernie Klassen MP White Rock South Surrey/Harley Chappell Semiahmoo First Nations
Improvements to drainage infrastructure will enhance water quality in Semiahmoo Bay and help manage flooding along Marine Drive, after a combined investment of more than $9.86 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
GLOBAL News arrived on our waterfront yesterday afternoon to gauge the interest in a petition that has started in White Rock that is calling for White Rock to merge with Surrey.
The petition apparently has been created by a group of local business owners and White Rock residents. The online petition which began last week has drawn a couple of hundred signatures.
Get ready for the “Valley West Stampede” being held this Labour Day weekend, in partnership with the locally based, Langley Riders Society. The members of the Langley Riders are no strangers to staging rodeo events, having organized Little Britches Rodeos for young riders for over 50 years. This new event is a natural progression into the professional realm, given the growth of Langley as a community and the importance of the horse and farm community here.
A Fresh Approach Matched with a Classic Tradition
Mutton busting completion for kids will be a featured specialty event.
Grounds open at 12:00 pm (noon) and close at 10:00 pm each day
RODEO PERFORMANCE STARTS AT 3PM EACH DAY AND RUNS to APPROXIMATELY 5PM
LIVE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND MARQUEE ACTS AS SOON AS THE RODEO FINISHES
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR AS WELL AS ONLINE
The Valley West Stampede will be held on the Langley Riders Society grounds on 208th Street near 42nd Avenue in Langley with bleachers for up to 3000 spectators each day. Rodeo events in the arena start at 3:00 P.M. each day (Saturday, Sunday and Labour Day Monday)
