Minto council plans to confer with Amish and Mennonite community members and local police before deciding whether to maintain a bypass that allows horse and buggy travellers to avoid a busy section of highway here.
A report from public works director Brian Hansen at the May 20 meeting suggested council discontinue providing the route, which crosses what was formerly a pedestrian trail connecting John Street to the Harriston Industrial Park.
The route has been in use since last summer as a means for horse and buggy travellers to avoid passing the Tim Hortons on Highway 9 at the north end of town, where large trucks parked along the road often obscure the vision of motorists attempting the exit the restaurant.
Hansen stated public works staff monitored and reviewed the route during the 2013 construction season and found that buggies have used the route up to the winter months.
“However, on two separate occasions public works have noticed motor vehicles have used this route, leaving deep ruts. During the winter months this route was never maintained for snow removal so horse and buggy traffic had to use Elora (Street) to access Harriston,” said Hansen.
He suggested the town discontinue use of the route once construction along Highway 9 at the north end of Harriston is completely finished sometime in July.
Deputy mayor Terry Fisk, who originally proposed the bypass at the suggestion of members of the local Mennonite community, opposed the idea of shutting it down.
“They’ve been very happy with it and it’s served its purpose, but I don’t think its purpose has ended,” said Fisk, adding the issue was brought to council’s attention prior to the beginning of the construction project.
“The reason for doing it hasn’t
gone away,” he stated.
While agreeing with Fisk the route is well-used, Hansen expressed concern about its use by motorized vehicles.
“For the little bit of disruption, and there’s been two incidents, I’d be very disappointed if we changed the policy because of a couple of knuckleheads,” Fisk responded. “We don’t close streets because somebody drives through a stop sign.”
Fisk added, “I think it serves a good purpose for an important part of our community that doesn’t usually ask us for very much.”
Mayor George Bridge pointed out there is still time to get input from users of the bypass before the end of the construction project.
Bridge also suggested the bypass might not be necessary if trucks could be prevented from parking along the highway in the area.
Bridge suggested sending a letter to Wellington County OPP Inspector Scott Lawson expressing the town’s concerns about parking and stating “we’re really disappointed with the policing of the bylaw.”
Council approved a motion by councillor Ron Faulkner to defer action on the issue until local police and bypass users have been consulted.
