Township staff will look into speeding complaints from residents living along Conservation Road in Guelph-Eramosa.
A petition handed to council at its Sept. 2 meeting from resident Richard Krist is calling on the township to reduce the speed along the stretch of the road from 50km per hour to 40km. Neighbours living along the road near Kennedy Road which has a hill, are worried about collisions with speeding vehicles as they exit their hidden driveways and for those walking along the roadway which has no shoulders, Krist told council.
“We have had no OPP radar along this stretch and the traffic has increased in volume over the past few years. The OPP is telling us they’re understaffed. We are also seeing an increase in heavy trucks using this route as well,” Krist said in his letter to council. “Many homes along this stretch have hidden driveways due to the crest in the road and we all worry about pulling out on to the road more now than ever.
Neighbours turning left off of Kennedy road also say they have no way of seeing traffic coming up the hill and have had some near collisions turning.”
Krist said he has had use of a township speed monitor and found vehicles travelling the stretch of road at speeds just over 80km. In one incident on the evening of June 6, one vehicle was clocked travelling between 91 and 95km.
Councillor John Scott said he monitored the driving recently.
“I was there and I’d be kind of nervous.”
Mayor Chris White said lowering the speed limit may not stop vehicles from speeding, but assured Krist staff will conduct a traffic study.
Councillor Corey Woods suggested the township meet with the OPP to talk about the speeding issue.
“This isn’t a speed limit question, it’s enforcement,” Woods said.
Councillor Doug Breen said if the township “can show them (OPP) data that means something.”
Staff will be instructed to conduct the traffic study.
