Wellington County officials are hoping that some new signs will help alleviate pedestrian difficulties at the intersection of Belsyde and Tower Streets in Fergus.
County council heard of that proposed solution at its June 30 meeting as information from the Police Services Board.
“We’re trying different things to ensure public safety,” Police Services Board chairman Lynda White told council.
She noted, though, that school was now out, and so officials will have to watch and see how the solutions work when it begins again in September.
The issue came about when a Fergus woman complained about heavy traffic on Tower Street.
She said it was difficult and unsafe to cross at the intersection of Union and Tower, and also at Belsyde. Her children attend J.D. Hogarth Public School.
The county arranged a meeting with the OPP and the Ministry of Transportation.
Fergus resident Candace Baillie had two children; one in junior Kindergarten and the other in grade 2, when she wrote to complain earlier this year. She said crossing at Belsyde is slightly less difficult than at Union Street, but “for a pedestrian with children … there are so many plaza entrances and exits as well as still highway drivers.”
The family was refused bus service because it lives too close to the school, and she said she cannot afford to take a taxi.
A police study noted the traffic management unit monitored the intersection using an unmarked police car, and paid particular attention to the hours of 7:45 to 9am and 3 to 4pm, as well as lunch periods. The survey was done over six days.
A a check by police of that intersection since 2002 revealed that there were:
– 67 motor vehicle collisions;
– 47 traffic complaints ranging from red light runners to pedestrians almost being struck by vehicles;
– two insecure loads, where items fell off trucks into the intersection;
– 12 impaired drivers or 12 hour suspensions issued;
– one red light charge; and- a report of a senior citizen slipping on ice and needing assistance.
Police also noted traffic flow during the time school children would use it is moderate to heavy; children were seen crossing the intersection properly, and once they reached the island they waiting until there was a break in traffic and would then dash or quickly walk to get to the sidewalk.
The right turn lane heading north on Tower Street has a yield sign property posted, but it is closer to Belsyde Avenue and past the area that is painted for crossing from the island to the sidewalk.
White said the site meeting was held with ministry officials and they two groups decided to install a Yield Ahead sign for the right turn lane to warn drivers they might have to stop, and also there will be some additional signs in place by September.
