Bumpy Ride for Proposal on Bough Beeches Boulevard

After a lot of discussion, many questions, and no resolution at the AGM, the subject of the proposal to add speed bumps the entire length of Bough Beeches had to be continued at a second meeting. 
A meeting, hosted by Councillor Fonseca, was held on November 11th to discuss the proposal prior to the December 1st  deadline. 

Diagram depicting the proposed speed bump locations in yellow. Courtesy Counclior Fonseca

​Once again, residents were encouraged to send their remarks and questions to the Councillor and Colin Patterson, Road Safety Supervisor.  The discussion revolved around four main themes: eliminating speeding along Bough Beeches; the prospect of shifting the traffic to other streets such as Hartfield, Lovelady and Audubon; alternative methods of speed control; and the effects of the speed humps on Fieldgate. 
 
The meeting started with Mr.  Patterson dividing the street into sections for purposes of the discussion.  The first was from Rathburn west to Fieldgate, the second from Fieldgate west to Rathburn, and the third from Rathburn south to Burnhamthorpe.  An initial poll was taken after the sections were proposed and the results were inconclusive.  Unfortunately, a large number of attendees were unable to vote and the yes and no votes, although close, did not indicate a clear majority in favor of the proposal.  The largest negative came for speed bumps in section two.  The meeting was well represented by residents in this area on the west side of Fieldgate.  

The City came with facts that indicate that speeds in front of Sts. Martha and Mary School have been reduced by 10 kms per hour.  While some residents feel the speed cushions are too easily avoided, it is clear that the bumps have achieved their intended effect.  

The question was asked as to why it is necessary to add more speed bumps on Bough Beeches.  The City responded that the road is scheduled to be repaved in 2021 and, if traffic calming is required in the near future, it should be done at that time.  Meanwhile, the City will be reducing the speed on all residential streets to 40 kms per hour next year.  One resident spoke to a near incident involving her child and a speeding motorist.  Another resident accused the City of pushing a project on the community rather than pulling out the appropriate information in this “push or pull” proposal.  He also stated that speeding and safety should be handled by the police.  

The residents west of Fieldgate have concerns that, just as the traffic has diverted from Fieldgate to Bough Beeches with the implementation of the speed bumps, drivers on Bough Beeches will divert onto Hartfield and Lovelady to avoid the new bumps.  A resident of Claypine Rise, on the east side of Fieldgate, indicated that with more bumps on Bough Beeches, he would divert them by using Audubon to access Fieldgate.  

Alternate means of speed reduction such as stop signs, cross walks, speed cameras and police presence were also discussed.  The City does not acknowledge stop signs as an appropriate means to control speed.  The prospect of using speed cameras might be a possibility in the coming years.  There is an option of asking the police to do speed traps.  This would require input from the community to identify the appropriate locations for two-hour blocks in both the morning and afternoon.  

Compromise does not seem to be an option when it comes to the number of proposed bumps.  While deleting a section may be an option, reducing the number within a section is not.  Each section is to be considered as all or nothing at all.  

The City was surprised that the proposal caused an overwhelming response from the community, both for and against.  While many comments were received, they did not get simple yes or no answers and could not conclude whether or not the project should move forward.

 The meeting ended without resolving the issue; however, Councillor Fonseca will look into doing an on-line survey that requires a yes or no answer. 

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