Tavistock residents present EZT Township with petition for improved traffic safety

By Lee Griffi

Residents of William Street South in Tavistock want East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Township to do something about speeding vehicles.

Mike Gingerich presented a letter and an accompanying petition with over 100 names to the township asking for speed-calming measures. The street is a busy walkway for children on their way to Tavistock Public School, and it is also the home of the Maples Home for Seniors Long-Term Care Home.

“Over the past several years, everyone has noticed the increase in speeds along this very busy stretch of the road,” said Gingerich. “There are currently two crossings for the school children. One is patrolled; the other is not. As our community is growing and construction continues, the issue continues.”

He added the combination of speed and the types of vehicles on this road, including farm equipment, delivery vans and construction trucks, has led to chaos, and he would like to see speed bumps implemented.

“Backing in and out of our driveways has become increasingly dangerous. So, the question is, what do we do? We propose speed bumps on our street as it has proven to be effective on other streets. Traffic needs to be slowed down.”

Ward 1 Coun. Steven Van Wyk could not attend the meeting in person or virtually because of a work commitment but told the Gazette he would have supported the motion, and he looks forward to the upcoming staff report on road safety.

“It will consider the residents’ proposal alongside, hopefully, other potential traffic-calming measures, particularly on streets entering town from a higher speed limit to a lower speed limit to ensure drivers are slowing down appropriately as they enter the town.”

He added options such as centre posts, speed feedback signs, speed humps and other measures to encourage drivers to slow down would be worth exploring.

“I do like the changes the county has made to Hope Street East with the centre post and speed feedback sign, and my anecdotal experience observing drivers seems to be that it has been effective in getting drivers to slow down when entering town from that direction.”

Fellow Ward 1 Coun. Scott Zehr also voted in favour of the motion.

“I support our township staff researching what might be the best traffic calming options for not only William Street, but all of our EZT communities. Residents continue to highlight speed concerns, so hopefully a good solution can be found.”

Gingerich said children and seniors living on the street are in jeopardy daily as the speed issue continues to worsen.

“It has been brought to the attention of the police on several occasions in the past, but no impact was felt. We ask this situation be an absolute priority, prior to an injury or death. We hope our voices are heard and a swift solution to the problem is reached as quickly as possible.”

Coun. Scott Rudy said residents have a valid concern, not only in Tavistock but across the township.

“I know we have talked about reducing speed limits, and I think the county is taking a forward approach. I’ve noticed in Innerkip, and I haven’t seen them in Tavistock, the centre line delineators. I know we talked about that a couple of years ago.”

Rudy said the delineators are an effective way to slow down traffic, and he would like to see more of them in EZT.

“I think they would slow speed down maybe as good or better than a speed bump.”

Deputy mayor Brad Smith said speed isn’t the only issue he has heard of on William Street South.

“There was a comment on social media yesterday regarding people not moving over to let an ambulance go by, so there are some other issues along that street. I know it’s fairly narrow, but people seem to want to speed through there for some reason.”

Some employees and visitors to the Maples Home for Seniors often park on the west side of the street, adding to the congestion.

The township is currently collecting speed data across East Zorra-Tavistock, and a public works report will likely come to the new council in November. Staff are also anticipating results of the Oxford County Road Safety Strategy, which will be shared with lower-tier municipalities in the near future.