Parents of students at Royal West Academy are pressing municipal authorities to reinstate a permanent crossing guard at the intersection of Westminster Avenue and Ainslie Road in Montreal West. The request follows the removal of a temporary guard that had been positioned during the spring of 2026 and the postponement of planned safety upgrades at the same crossing.
The temporary crossing guard was installed earlier in the spring to provide additional protection for schoolchildren navigating the busy intersection. City officials had scheduled a series of infrastructure improvements intended to enhance visibility and traffic flow, but those works have been delayed. The delay is directly linked to a strike by rail workers, which has interrupted the timetable for the upgrades.
Safety concerns at the junction have been heightened by a series of incidents involving Royal West Academy students. Over recent years, several pupils have been struck by vehicles while attempting to cross the road, prompting heightened anxiety among families and school staff. The accidents have underscored the need for reliable crossing assistance and have become a focal point for the parents’ campaign.
In response, the parents have formally appealed to the city to restore a permanent crossing guard while the delayed improvements are addressed. They argue that the presence of a dedicated guard would provide an immediate safeguard for children, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the completion of the longer‑term infrastructure plan.
The rail workers’ strike, which began earlier this year, continues to affect a range of municipal projects across the region. Its impact on the Westminster Avenue and Ainslie Road upgrades illustrates how labor actions can have secondary effects on public safety initiatives. As negotiations with the rail union progress, city officials have yet to announce a revised schedule for the intersection enhancements.
The parents of Royal West Academy remain steadfast in their call for a permanent crossing guard, emphasizing that the safety of students should not be compromised while broader infrastructure work remains on hold.