Speeding concerns spark new neighbourhood group pushing city for stronger safety measures

Since 2023, Cameron and Wylita Clark have been trying to get a four-way stop installed at Elgin and William Street. They’re concerned about the safety of residents in the area. From their porch they say they consistently see cars going speeds well above the limit of 40 kilometres per hour.

In 2023 Wylita, a former crown prosecutor, made a deputation to council after following the correct steps, including obtaining 30 signatures from neighbours. “Not a single person we spoke with refused to sign. Those same neighbours have repeatedly followed up with us and are keen that action be taken. They want their concerns and safety addressed,” she said.

The couple has lived on William Street for 28 years. They said speeding hasn’t always been a concern, but developments in the area and ongoing construction have led more drivers to use the street to reach their destinations faster.

Now the Clark’s are starting a new group called The Ward 5 Citizens for Safe Streets Initiative, after feeling like their councillor, Mark Doble, didn’t take their concerns seriously.

Doble was not on council when the original deputation was made, but he said he’s read over the file and is aware of the issue. “(Wylita) made an excellent deputation to council, very thorough, well researched, and from that deputation, she was asking for all-way stops at Colborne and William, as well as William and Elgin Street.”

Doble said when it comes to putting up stop signs, it’s not as simple as just asking for one to be put in; three different factors have to be met.

There has to be a high volume of traffic going through the intersection; the lighter lane of traffic has to be more than 30 per cent of the total traffic volume; and there has to be a history of accidents.

“I read the report, and… for both intersections, the volume was insufficient to warrant all-way stops, and the ratios were not strong enough,” Doble said. However, with a substantial accident history at Colborne and William Street, staff decided a four-way stop could be installed there.

The Clark’s disagree with this reasoning. In a speed report, some cars were clocked going more than 80 kilometres per hour. Wylita said if anyone got hit while crossing the street by a car going that fast the result would be catastrophic. “You are dead. And that’s for a full-grown adult. If it’s a mom pushing a baby stroller, you push the stroller in front of you. The first one to get hit is going to be the kid.”

The couple know it’s unrealistic to expect all drivers to follow the speed limit exactly, but Wylita said with a stop sign drivers would be forced to slow down. “If there’s stop signs, they know that if they don’t stop… they’re risking a ticket and a substantial increase to their insurance. Plus, if they have a stop sign and they didn’t stop, and something happened they’re 100 per cent liable.”

“We’re not anti-development. We’re just saying that we have to adapt to the new reality,” Cameron said. He continued to express his concern about the increase in traffic within Ward 5 saying it’s “grown exponentially, we’re going to need a new approach to how we treat safety in the Ward 5 region, which is densely compacted with young families and seniors.”

Now the pair are planning on putting on events outside of their house, and getting the neighbourhood involved in advocating for more traffic regulations in the area.

Ward 6 Coun. and mayoral candidate Ron Ashmore said he’s spoken with the Clarks and if elected in the October election, he’ll get the four-way stop put in. “They’ve been trying to get this for years. We talk about safety, and I mean all age groups are affected here on William Street North. I’ve met with them, had a good conversation with them, and I am certainly going to support them and the community there. And all the other streets that feed into it from the east and west.”

Doble said he’s referred the Clarks to the city’s safe street program portal, where residents can report traffic or speeding concerns. From there city staff will look into the issue and report back, if residents aren’t satisfied with the answer they can take their concerns further.

While he’s not the person who makes the ultimate decision, Doble said he tries his best to make sure residents are heard and are pointed in the right direction. “I have no problem hearing from people who have concerns, and I’m very happy to work with them as they navigate the process, and hopefully we can get a positive result.”

Wylita and Cameron are just hoping a sign will be put in before someone gets seriously hurt. “Who is going to disagree with saving kids,” Wylita said.