Michael Lee of Salem would like to see speed limits dropped from 50 to 30km/h in his part of town.
Lee came to Centre Wellington council on July 25 to outline concerns about speeding in the area of Victoria, William and Water Streets near Wellington Road 7.
“The concern is one of safety for children and pedestrians walking on the gravel roads and the speed of the traffic on these roads … often trying to bypass the lights on [Wellington Road 7,” Lee stated.
He told council residents are requesting the following changes:
– a posted speed limit of 30km/h be applied to these three streets on the basis that Veterans Park is a designated children’s play area, these dirt roads are narrow, the wet or dry roads do not provide good traction for rapid braking and there are no sidewalks for pedestrians to walk safely along the streets;
– the two-way stop at Victoria and William be made into a four-way stop because a view of William (West) from Victoria is restricted from any vehicle stopped at the present stop sign on the north side of Victoria; and
– the one-way stop at Water and William be made into a three-way stop because the view of William from Water is restricted from any vehicle stopped at the present stop sign on Water and any traffic travelling east to west along William. The corner provides access to and egress from Veterans Park for children playing in the recreational facilities and playing games among the trees that border Water and William. Children running out of the park have less than two metres to travel before they are on the road in a blind spot where traffic on William (East) cannot see them before turning left onto Water.
Lee said he considered these moves part of managing the risks associated with dirt/gravel roads.
He also stated that because there is a park in the area, lower speeds should certainly be considered.
“Reduce the speed … reduce the risk,” Lee told council.
He said one of the problems with roads in the neighbourhood is that traction is poor on gravel roads.
“A speed limit of [30km/h] is suggested because it was the number given as the maximum safe speed on these roads by an OPP officer after the police were requested to provide an evaluation,” Lee said.
He stated there are several roads in the Salem-Elora area that are much wider than William/Water/Victoria and fully paved, where the posted speed limit is 40km/h. These include McNab, Woolwich, Colborne, Water and Mill Streets.
“If these speed limits are appropriate for those roads, then a lower posted speed limit would be more appropriate on William, Water and Victoria to accommodate the poor road surface,” he said.
“Currently there are unacceptable safety risks to children, pedestrians and drivers travelling along William, Water and Victoria streets in Salem.
Lee said these risks can be reduced to acceptable levels by installing additional stop signs and by posting lower maximum speed limits to a level recommended by an OPP officer.
“The cost of such an initiative is very low for the risks it will reduce, compared with the potentially terrible cost to a family if no further action is taken and the legal cost incurred by the county.”
Mayor Kelly Linton made councillors aware that in August, director of infrastructure Colin Baker was bringing forward a report speaking to a consistent way of dealing with gravel roads throughout the township.
“It is important for us to be consistent across the board,” said Linton.
The mayor added some of the issues addressed by Lee include more than just speed – such as the stop signs and road conditions.
One of the first questions was posed by councillor Mary Lloyd, who asked “if hospitals and schools are within 40km/h zones, why would this area need to be 30km/h? Is it the condition of the road?”
Linton stated the factors that Lee mentioned are related to the condition of the roads, lack of sidewalks, the play areas and the use of the roads as a bypass.
He anticipated Baker’s report would provide additional information.
CAO Andy Goldie noted Baker’s report was already underway before this particular community delegation was made.
The typical process for community delegations is to complete a report, then council would decide if further action is warranted, Goldie said.
