Feature Article October 30, 2002
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Speeding in SydenhamThe issue of traffic and speeding remains unresolved in Sydenham. Last week, an open letter to the residents of Sydenham recommended that everyone interested in asking council to reconsider setting up an ad hoc traffic committee should come to the November 5 council meeting in Sydenham. Such a committee could help clearly define the problems with speeding and evaluate some of the possible solutions, returning specific recommendations to council.
In March, 106 out of 110 residents canvassed signed a petition to council asking that something be done about speeding in Sydenham. Council purchased the Canadian Transportation Associations "Guide to Traffic Calming", which describes a variety of approaches. In mid-summer the OPP conducted a speed survey. A report from Staff Sergeant G. Fowler confirmed that "the majority of motorists do not obey the posted speed limit." In 3 hours, 15 tickets and 14 warnings were issued on one street alone. He recommended then that council not rely solely on policing to deal with the problem.
Council asked Public Works Manager Gary Stefan to look into the problem. He reported that before any specific traffic calming action be taken, an ad hoc committee would have to be formed to establish a policy framework within which to address the issue. This should include a Class B Environmental Assessment. On October 3, the Committee of the Whole reviewed Mr Stefans report, then recommended that the OPP be contacted to review the enforcement of speed limits in the hamlet of Sydenham., This was adopted at Octobers council meeting, in spite of Sgt. Fowlers earlier report. Village residents were left feeling that their concerns have been largely ignored.
When queried, Mr Stefan admitted that though an environmental assessment was a fairly lengthy process, a flow chart was provided, and it was quite possible that much of the information could be collected by community volunteers.
According to Sergeant Fowler, although ongoing speed enforcement is part of the solution, it cannot be sustained at a sufficiently high level to fully deal with the problem. It was he who recommended that council find out what additional traffic calming measures had been successful in other municipalities.
No traffic count has been done since 1995.
Much energy on both sides has gone into discussion of speed humps, with no specific planning as to where they should go, or numbers, or what liability, if any, they might present.
The Sydenham Residents for Calmer Traffic will be asking council to reconsider the traffic problem in a more meaningful manner. They have asked all those who are concerned to show support by attending the council meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday November 5, in Sydenham Town Hall.
