A group of local residents are pleased with their trip to Queens Park, pushing for median barriers to be installed along the 401.

Alysson Storey, who spearheaded the movement, calls it an emotional “first day” to start the battle.

“In our follow-up meeting with Transportation Minster Steven Del Duca, his staff seemed pretty set on the cable barriers, we do not find that an acceptable solution,” Storey says. “We presented our case to the Minister and he actually seemed open to discussing it.”

Chatham-Kent Essex MPP Rick Nicholls presented a petition asking for changes to the busy highway.

Storey says the government typically has 90 days to respond to a petition, and she’ll be following up in the weeks ahead to keep up the pressure.

Premier Kathleen Wynne told the legislature a barrier would be installed along the 401 in Chatham-Kent, although no specific timeline was given.

The issue came to a head for many local residents with the death of Sarah Payne and her five-year-old daughter, Freya in late August.

(Video courtesy of MPP Rick Nicholls, via YouTube.)