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Town lowers speed limits on both Alder Street and Spencer Avenue

February 15, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By James Matthews

An individual’s familiarity with an issue can be an efficient engine for change.

And one of the first Orangeville streets to see a speed limit reduction includes Councillor Todd Taylor’s address.

Town council agreed during its’ public meeting Feb. 11 to lower speed limits on Spencer Avenue from Riddell Road to B Line and on Alder Street from Riddell Road to B Line.

The new speed limits on those thoroughfares will be 40 kilometres an hour. The length of Spencer Avenue will also be designated a community safety zone.

“Here we are with our first motion about traffic, and it’s all about me,” Coun. Taylor quipped.

Quite simply, his first effort is borne of familiarity. He said many residents of other Orangeville neighbourhoods are concerned about speeding on their streets. And those concerns will also be addressed.

On Spencer Avenue, there’s been increased speeding infractions since the thoroughfare opened onto Riddell Road.

According to supporting information about the subject on the council meeting agenda, the Orangeville Police Service charged 35 speeding motorists in 2018. No charges were filed in 2017.

“The problem is real and we need to address it,” Coun. Taylor said.

But there isn’t sufficient traffic to justify adding more stop signs, he said, which is what many residents there would prefer. And installing speed bumps would hamper winter snow-clearing operations there.

“The reality is the speed zone change is a nice compromise,” Coun. Taylor said. “It perhaps won’t satisfy all, but I think it will make the issue better.”

Adjusting the speed limit only on Spencer Avenue would kick the problem one thoroughfare over to Alder Street.

“They really are tied hand-in-hand,” he said. “They both need to be done at the same time.”

Differing opinions on how to best address the issue sometimes brought the councillor at loggerheads with Doug Jones, the town’s public works director.

“He (Mr. Jones) did give me his advice,” Coun. Taylor said. “We are not in agreement, but I still really enjoy (his) advice.”

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