Wellington County council has directed roads department staff to review and report on the traffic situations at all schools located on county roads.
At the Feb. 26 meeting, council approved a roads committee recommendation authorizing staff to conduct the review.
The matter arose after a delegation presented the roads committee with a petition signed by more than 320 residents asking for a school zone to be established in front of Brisbane School on Wellington Road 124.
The group is asking for a school zone with a 40km/h limit and flashing light during school transition periods (8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm). The rest of the day and evening, the speed would stay the same, at 60km/h, under the group’s plan.
“Given the addition of full time junior and senior kindergarten as well as the greater flexibility in work schedules for many parents, each day there is about 20 to 30 cars parked on Highway 124 (both north and south sides of the road) dropping off or picking up children. As you are aware, [Wellington Road] 124 has become much busier, with a significant increase in both car and truck volume. This poses a serious risk to the safety of the children at the school as well as parents,” stated an email from the petitioners.
A letter of support from Upper Grand District School Board chair Mark Bailey noted the former Highway 24 “is a designated truck route.
“The speed limit in front of the school is 60km/h (reduced from 80km/h), but anecdotal evidence from parents of Brisbane students (and reports from the OPP who have ticketed in the area) indicate there are violators who exceed the speed limit by more than 25km/h. The high traffic volume and speeds make it dangerous for children and their families. There has been at least one vehicular accident at the site this school year.”
Warden George Bridge asked that school officials and petitioners be advised the county plans to look at the issue as part of a wider review.
“It’s not just an issue at Brisbane school,” said Bridge.
