Woolwich Street has become so dangerous, that the local school board busses students rather than allow them to walk a short distance along the street.
Jennifer Williams, a Breslau resident, told Woolwich councillors that speeding continues to be a problem along the busy street, one that is often used as a shortcut by commuters.
“The speed of traffic in Breslau is dangerously fast,” said Williams.
This is in spite of numerous traffic calming measures the township has implemented in the past, including increased signage, and the temporary use of a speed hump.
Williams was before councillors on Tuesday night to ask that permanent speed humps be installed along the busy road, to keep drivers at the posted 40km/h speed limit. She presented a petition with signatures from 30 of 32 nearby residents, in support of her proposal.
“I received overwhelming feedback that speed is a problem,” said Williams.
Breslau residents have complained about speeding to Waterloo Regional Police — so much so, that the street has been added to the public awareness bulletin used by police to highlight problem areas.
While Williams acknowledged that cost might be a concern, she suggested that speed humps are a more cost-effective way to reduce speeding than enforcement, and that their use could do much to stop a “preventable tragedy.”
Township director of planning and engineering Dan Kennaley told councillors that speed humps have changed in design over the years, and are longer and shallower than in the past, “much more gradual” than the speed bumps that drivers may remember.
Kennaley suggested that it would be a good idea for staff to investigate the concern further, using the township’s traffic study equipment.
He noted, however, that the equipment could not be used until spring, as it can interfere with township road-clearing operations, and does not accurately record data in cold temperatures.
Kennaley said his department had two other traffic studies to complete that had been requested by residents, and that the Woolwich Street study could be added to the “queue.”
Councillors were supportive of the suggestion.
Councillor Mark Bauman, in particular, asked Kennaley to investigate how long ago the township studied traffic patterns on the street, and to compare previous data with the new data that will be generated this spring. Bauman also asked for Kennaley to report on why the temporary speed hump had been moved, and to find out where the majority of speeders in the area come from.
“And can we encourage the region to get the bypass completed?” asked Bauman.
Kennaley said the last time the township looked at the traffic on Woolwich Street was 2007, but he has been unable to locate any traffic data from that time period.
Councillor Julie-Anne Herteis said she would like to see township staff to investigate other possibilities other than speed humps. She noted a street in Kitchener that has many speed humps has now become an attraction for “thrill seekers, who want to see how fast they can go.”
Kennaley said that his report would look at a variety of traffic calming measures, not just speed humps.
Councillors also directed Kennaley to bring the list of upcoming speed studies to a future council meeting, so they can be prioritized in terms of public safety issues.
Regional police will also be encouraged to continue enforcement of speeding in this area.