Parents of Royal West Academy students are pressing the school board and municipal authorities to bring back a crossing guard at the busy intersection of Westminster Avenue and Ainslie Road in Montreal West. The demand follows the removal of a temporary guard that had been stationed there during the spring of 2026 and the postponement of planned safety upgrades to the crossing.
The temporary guard was installed earlier in the spring to address growing concerns after a series of vehicle‑pedestrian collisions involving schoolchildren at the junction. However, a strike by rail workers forced the municipality to delay the construction work that was slated to improve visibility and traffic flow. With the strike ongoing, the guard was withdrawn and the unfinished upgrades remain on hold.
Officials note that the intersection has seen several students struck by passing cars in recent years, raising questions about the adequacy of existing traffic controls. Parents say the absence of a dedicated crossing guard leaves children vulnerable during the morning and afternoon rush when traffic volumes peak.
In response, the parent group has organized meetings with the school administration and the city’s transportation department, presenting a petition that calls for an immediate reinstatement of the guard and an accelerated timeline for the pending improvements. They stress that the guard provides a visible deterrent and assists drivers in navigating the narrow crossing safely.
Municipal representatives acknowledge the concerns but indicate that the rail strike continues to impede progress on the long‑term upgrades. They have not provided a firm date for when the crossing guard will return, leaving families to rely on existing signals and heightened vigilance as they await a resolution.