Slower speeds and seasonal speed bumps may be on the way for Maple Leaf Lane.
On July 18, Puslinch council reviewed a letter from local residents regarding the June 20 decision to open the west gates of the Puslinch Community Centre to Maple Leaf Lane on a permanent basis.
The letter noted that at the June 20 meeting there seemed to be some support among council members to consider traffic calming measures and the safety of the residents of Maple Leaf Lane.
Residents requested the following:
– the speed limit on Maple Leaf Lane be set to 30 km/h;
– speed limit signs be posted at the top and bottom on Maple Leaf Lane to alert motorists entering from either Brock Road or the community grounds;
– Children at Play signs be placed on both sides of Maple Leaf Lane, in the vicinity of the Optimist Recreation Centre
– seasonal speed bumps be added to Maple Leaf Lane for the Spring, Summer and Autumn months (and removed during the winter months as not to hinder the snow plow operators).
While those involved in drafting the letter stated “The best overall/long term solution for this residential lane is not immediately obvious. A lower speed limit, signage, and seasonal speed bumps would however seem like a clear and cost effective first step.”
Councillors here have no qualms helping out residents of Maple Leaf Lane by installing traffic calming measures.
Councillor Susan Fielding commented that she’d already indicated to residents that she totally supported such a request. “I would like to make a difficult situation as easy as possible.”
Fielding added the requests made were reasonable and she would like to see council move forward with them.
Councillor Ken Roth agreed with one exception.
“I think it is too late in the season to put in the speed bumps.”
He contended they would only be in for a few months before they would need to be removed.
“It just seems unnecessary for that short of a time.”
Councillor Jerry Schmidt agreed that what the residents sought was reasonable.
Councillor Wayne Stokley believed council should be incorporating the recommended measures.
He noted that the residents had requested a speed limit set at 30km/h.
“I’m not sure that is appropriate since he did not believe there was a 40km/h limit in the school zone.”
He said along Old Brock Road there were not even signs posted regarding the speed limit.
Stokley suggested posting Maple Leaf Lane at 40km/h but extend the speed limit across the highway along Old Brock Road in front of the school.
On the matter of the seasonal speed bumps, he offered the opinion, “the sooner the better.”
Stokley said it could have easily been someone visiting or living on the road itself.
“We still need to be safety conscious, and if we can swing it to be in the budget now, I would prefer to see it happening as soon as possible.”
Schmidt had no issue with the 30km/h because it is a very short street and there will be speed bumps.
Mayor Dennis Lever said he supported all the items in the letter.
He also supported the idea of initiating speed limits on the road in front of the school as well.
Lever suggested leaving the matter in the hands of the road superintendent in terms of timing and how it would be implemented.
“We can just ask him to deal with it – soon.”
Fielding agreed ‘soon’ was the operative word since council was not set to meet until mid-August.
“I’d like to see something happen a lot sooner than later.”
Lever agreed.
“I’d like to just give him the go-ahead now.”
Lever added the cost of the measures was minimal.
Council agreed to move the measures ahead.
