Franey puts speed humps back on the agenda

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bay Roberts councillor Dean Franey is calling on his colleagues to approve more speed humps throughout town in the hope of deterring speeders.

Franey said he noticed portable speed humps had been placed on Pepper’s Road and Bishop’s Road but suggested a second hump be added to Bishop’s Road because the street is so long. 

Franey also called for a speed hump for Barracks Road, which is currently serving as a detour due to construction on Water Street. 

Councillor Perry Bowering noted there is a new speed hump on Mission Lane, as well.

“Back last year we were talking about different traffic calming measures and I brought up the use of speed humps rather than speed bumps,” said Franey. 

Speed humps are flatter and longer than speed bumps and allow drivers to drive over them at higher speeds than speed bumps. As a result, they are viewed as the less intrusive alternative. Franey explained that if someone drives over a hump doing the speed limit, they will only experience a slight bump. However, if one is travelling over the speed limit, they experience more of a jolt. 

“So, they’re a lot easier for residents to be able to travel normal speed, (and) get around (for) emergency services,” he said.

Franey said speed bumps made it more difficult for emergency vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. “Imagine what it’s like in a big old fire truck going over all the speed bumps when it’s like that in your regular car,” he said.

Franey noted that when he raised the topic last year, he had looked at Google Maps to identify areas with speeding problems. 

“Well, everyone suffers from speeding, I guess, but some areas that I know are straightaway drags, areas that I’ve received complaints for,” Franey said. 

The councillor reminded his colleagues of the six places he highlighted last year as needing speed humps: one in Butlerville, one on Central Street, two on Shearstown’s main road, and two on Neck Road in Coley’s Point.

While council did discuss the subject last year, Franey added, no action was taken, which is why he was raising it again.

“We’re getting into the fine weather,” Franey said. “Traffic is getting going again. Kids are on the roads playing. So, I’d like to get some movement again on getting these speed humps onto those areas to start with for sure.”

Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo remarked that Fowler’s Road in Conception Bay South has a lot of speed humps, and that they work very well there. 

“While we’re waiting, we should probably ask Director (Sean) Elms to get some pricing,” said Tibbo, addressing Bay Roberts’ director of public works. 

Councillor Silas Badcock asked whether the speed humps in CBS also served as crosswalks. Others present confirmed this. 

“I’m going to tell you, you won’t see speeding there,” allowed Tibbo.

The CAO said staff will draft a traffic calming policy for presentation to council at it’s next committee of the whole meeting. 

“But that’s not to say that we can’t start the implementation, (in terms of) having a look at this and getting the pricing,” he said.