Township council will consider moving a stretch of country road forward on its maintenance schedule after receiving a petition from about 40 residents citing dangerous conditions.
Joyce Sloat, who lives along Mapleton Sideroad 20 between Wellington Road 7 and Line 12, represented local residents at the March 25 meeting.
Sloat said the road condition includes potholes, crumbling top coat, sloping sides and a deteriorating culvert.
She told council vehicles often go into the ditch along the stretch of road because it has no shoulders.
“As the road deteriorates, so does our quality of life – we find there are people that won’t walk the roads because they are too difficult,” said Sloat, who also pointed out that about 10 children live along the road, but “it’s not safe to ride bikes.”
A letter presented to council by Sloat states, “As taxpayers within Mapleton, this sideroad is used each day and a constant reminder of where our tax dollar are not being spent. My greatest concern is one of safety. We have many new families with small children on this stretch of road.
“There is no safe place to walk, push a stroller, pull a wagon or ride a bike. With the increased traffic outside of residential use it has become a very dangerous section of road. Present speed limits and conditions are not acceptable.”
Mayor Bruce Whale told Sloat the township has scheduled work on the road for 2016, but suggested it might be possible to use funds slated for road reserves in 2014 to do some of the work sooner.
“We try to keep on top of it all, but we have too many kilometres to do it all at once,” said Whale.
Council agreed to include Sideroad 20 on an upcoming road tour before making a decision and to advise area residents in writing of plans for the road.
Whale noted a drawback to road improvements is often increased traffic volumes.
“The better we make the roads, the more traffic there’s going to be,” said Whale.
“We just want to be able to drive on it,” replied Sloat.
