Users of an alternate route designed to allow horse and buggy travellers to avoid a congested section of highway at Harriston’s north end are being asked to stop and scoop any manure that drops on the trail or roadway.
The route, approved by Minto council in July, allows buggy drivers to detour through the Harriston industrial Park and use a section of former rail land to access John Street, without passing the busy Tim Hortons intersection.
The route is already in use, however several area residents have expressed concerns about the plan.
At the Aug. 4 council meeting public works director Brian Hansen presented a report indicating one resident, although in favor of the alternate route, objected to the plan to add stop signs at John and Adelaide streets and was also concerned about horse manure on the streets and walking trails.
Concern was also expressed by officials of Farm Fresh Poultry about possible cross contamination of trucks and vehicles entering and exiting the site due to horse manure.
Stop signs required
Hansen said a review of the MTO manual confirms the T intersection created with the new route will require that stop signs be placed on all three corners.
“While this will have the benefit of slowing traffic down, vehicles idling and the noise from starting and stopping can disrupt nearby homes,” Hansen noted in the report. “The main safety concern is a horse and buggy heading west on John crossing Adelaide into the trail without stopping or looking for southbound traffic.”
Hansen also noted “the town does not pick up manure anywhere in the municipality,” and recommended that users be asked to make a conscious effort to stop and clear the road or trail of any manure.
“If there becomes a build up, then staff will have to clear the road or trail of any manure and council could re-evaluate the route,” Hansen’s report suggests.
