Not ‘if’ but ‘when’ something will go wrong, says resident

NEWS — It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ something bad will happen on Summit Drive if the City doesn’t reduce the speed limit on the stretch in front of McGowan Park and the McGowan Park elementary school, says a resident who lives nearby.

Joe Lindsay wants council to reduce the speed limite from 50 km/hour to 30 km/hour between Tremerton Street and Highway 5A.

He said RCMP have told him they don’t have the resources to police the area. “I contacted City staff and was told that there is no appetite to reduce the speed down to 30 kms that would normally be afforded to a park designation transportation route,” he emailed the City.

“The reason noted was that it is a short area and drivers would not respect the posted sign.”

But he said young children use the water park and that creates extra risk with traffic. Lindsay proposed the speed limit be reduced until a comprehensive study is completed.

“I am confident that no one on council would be comfortable explaining to the authorities an issue involving children when they knew there was an identified issue.”

However, development and engineering services director Marvin Kwiatkowski says Summit Drive in that area has good slight lines to the park, and no driveways or other distractions. A chain-link fence deters park patrons from crossing Summit, he wrote to City council in reply to Lindsay’s letter.

“A wide boulevard, sidewalk and bike lane provide for clear driver sight lines ensuring a pedestrian would be in full view of a motorist driving along Summit Drive.”

Kwiatkowski noted that Summit underwent a “road dieting” redesign in 1995 because it was deemed more effective at slowing vehicles than the lower speed limit. A more substantial fence could be built to enclose the park if there’s a safety concern, he suggested.

Lindsay’s email, and staff’s recommendation against changing the speed limit, will be in front of council Tuesday.