Norwich requests further speed reduction on Hwy 59

Luke Edwards, Post Contributor

A planned 10km/h speed reduction for a section of Highway 59 north of Norwich doesn’t go far enough, according to Norwich councillors and at least one local resident.

Council approved a motion at the Feb. 10 meeting to request a further speed reduction for the stretch of road, asking Oxford County to consider putting a 60 km/h limit for Highway 59 around the Quaker Street intersection. A presentation from county officials at a previous council meeting outlined plans to place a 70 km/h limit for the section of highway.

However, that reduction was not enough for Betty Kerr, a local resident who spoke at the Feb. 10 meeting.

“Although a step in the right direction, this is not enough to really deter speedsters,” she said.

She described a recent incident where she had to run to get out of the way of an oncoming vehicle heading north while she was returning from the nearby mail box.

She said they’ve also had trees damaged from motorists whose vehicles ended up on their property after losing control while navigating the bend in the road. Other near misses have occurred with her and neighbours as they risk being rear ended whenever they slow down to pull into their driveways.

“What we are proposing is not an extreme solution, but a simple one,” Kerr said.

Councillors supported a lower speed limit for the area, approving a motion from Coun. Shawn Gear to request a further reduction for the area.

Though he said he fully supported Kerr’s request, Gear said speed limits are only a small part of the story.

“We have a shortage of police,” he said. “We can put whatever number we want on the sign but unless we have enforcement on it, essentially we’re throwing money in the wind sometimes.”

Kerr acknowledged other ways to reduce speeding, such as roundabouts or traffic calming measures, but said the lower speed limit is a quick and affordable option.

Coun. Lynne DePlancke, who lives near Kerr, agreed with her assessment of the road and encouraged her to attend an Oxford County meeting on Feb. 25 where planned road safety improvements will be discussed. DePlancke also offered to attend alongside Kerr to lend her support.

“We’ll do anything to make this stop. It’s getting ridiculous,” Kerr said.