ERIN – If the 5th Line through Cedar Valley has to be paved, residents there hope speed bumps will be an improvement on the current potholes as a way to control speeding vehicles.
A crowd of residents filled the council chamber on May 21 as David Sue and Marlene Kawalez presented a petition of concern and requested measures to improve road safety.
“The community of Cedar Valley has always had speeding and safety concerns,” said Sue, noting speeds of over 80km/h have been documented in the hamlet.
“The potholes and 40 kilometre speed limit seem to have little to no effect on the speeders. It’s way too fast for the gravel road with no safety shoulders to walk on. Some homes are 15 to 20 feet from the road. There are two major blind spots … and many hidden driveways.”
Sue continued, “Cyclists, children, folks walking their dogs and pushing their strollers have had many near mishaps. With the paving of our road, we are anticipating an increase in the volume of traffic and speeding. We are concerned about the safety of the children, ourselves and the animal life that reside in our hamlet.
“We are asking the council to keep all of the residents of Cedar Valley safe by installing increased signage, community safety zone signage, traffic calm zones, anything that will help to reduce the speed. Larger signage, speed bumps and radar flashing signs.”
While presenting a video demonstrating car speeds, he said, “You can see our salvation, the potholes – they don’t seem to be working.”
The current speed signs in the area say 40km/h, but the town’s speed bylaw says the limit is 60km/h, so the signs are being replaced to show 60km/h. Also, the road is being paved this year, partly because the direct route from Cedar Valley to Hillsburgh along Sideroad 24 will soon be shut down for the lengthy reconstruction of the bridge and dam in Hillsburgh.
The paving of 5th Line will provide a higher quality alternate route for Cedar Valley residents to access Wellington Road 22.
Councillor Jamie Cheyne, who lives in Cedar Valley, said the speeding issue is “concerning” and an education process is needed for drivers.
Council passed a motion to order a staff report and recommendations.
After the meeting, Kawalez said, “I don’t have a lot of faith in [the town], but I’d be glad for them to prove me wrong. People are getting angry and desperate.”
