Once a year Council reviews traffic, road safety hazards and parking issues that have arisen over the course of the year. Most of these are triggered by com-plaints and or concerns brought to the attention of staff by residents.
In response to speed limit change requests, staff conduct week-long traffic speed studies for each section of the road that is subject to complaints. They are looking to identify the volume of cars speeding and rate of excessive speed in these areas. The Canadian Guideline for Establishing Posted Speed Limits indicate that roads with posted speeds of 70km/h or less should have traffic travelling at an average rate of 85% of the posted limit. Traffic patterns on two of the roads that were investigated exceeded this limit: Fallis Line and Dobbin Rd.
Both of these roads have posted limits of 50km/h. After some discussion, it was agreed that the problem did not lie in the posted limit but rather in the enforcement of the limit. In addition to asking for additional enforcement in these areas, Council asked staff to investigate new, moveable traffic calming tools that can be set up temporarily indifferent locations and are much more cost-effective than permanent traffic calming techniques such as speed bumps and median bump-outs. Any changes considered for Dobbin Rd. would need the cooperation of Peterborough as it is a boundary road the municipality shares with the city.
Parking on Brookside near Millbrook/South Cavan Public School presents challenges during the start and end of the school day. Parents picking up their children are parking on both sides of the road, making it difficult for traffic to get through. Parking within 9 metres of an intersection is prohibited to allow incoming traffic to turn safely. Council confirmed that parking should be restricted on Brookside to one side of the road and requested increased parking by-law enforcement and improved signage to improve compliance.
A safety concern regarding pedestrian traffic to and from Millbrook South Cavan School was also discussed. Peterborough County is implementing significant upgrades to County Rd. 10 with priority for a signalized pedestrian crosswalk which is expected to be operational next fall. For more information, read the full report of the September21st Council Agenda available on the township website at www.https://www.cavanmonaghan.net/local-government/council/agendas-and-minutes/.