Residents request removal of Watson Road speed humps
They say humps are in wrong location, create noise and dust issues
ARKELL – Some residents on Watson Road South in Arkell hope the township will remove speed humps that were recently installed on the busy road.
It’s not that they don’t want drivers to slow down.
It’s the noise and the dust created by trucks slamming on the brakes that’s concerning, Archie Nimmo and Diana Beliski stated in a letter to Puslinch council that was discussed on May 27.
“It is very noisy when a large vehicle goes over it, along with other noises from squealing tires from brakes or accelerating and debris from construction vehicles. Several nearby neighbours have the same concern,” they wrote.
They say the location of the humps is too close to the intersection with Arkell Road to be of value, as drivers will already be slowing down for traffic lights.
“It would make sense for the humps to be installed as you enter the village to slow vehicles immediately instead of only a few yards from the intersection,” they stated.
Councillor Jessica Goyda lives in Arkell and agreed the humps raise noise levels.
She said there are trees on either side of the road that cast shadows and create an “optical illusion” that “camouflages” the speed humps until a driver is almost on top of them.
There is a sign at the humps, but Goyda wondered if signage could be posted in advance of the humps, giving drivers more time to respond.
“That might alleviate some of the noise,” she said.
On a question of procedure, public works director Mike Fowler said it’s generally more economical to install speed mitigation measures upon completion of roadwork.
He said staff annually reviews road safety and complaints, and any recommendations for improvements or changes are made at budget time.
Fowler said complaints were evenly split between speeding on Watson Road South and the safety of traffic turning at the Arkell Road/Watson Road intersection, “so to appease both, we put the [speed humps] at the middle."
Councillor Sara Bailey noted the township’s process is to implement such measures and re-evaluate after two years. So, this will be revisited in another year, she said.
Mayor James Seeley hoped residents with concerns over heavy trucks using Watson Road South would call the OPP and request enforcement.
Council received the delegation for information.
