Bay Roberts staff working out traffic calming policy

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After yet another discussion about speeding in town following complaints from residents, Bay Roberts council has directed staff to come up with pricing on speed humps and a policy on traffic calming.

Acknowledging the recent complaints, the Town’s director of protective services, Greg Squires, told council it could put radar monitors in areas of concern to confirm what the speeds actually are. If speeding is indeed confirmed, the Town could then install speed bumps. Squires said that would be more affordable than immediately placing speed bumps wherever there are complaints. He added there are other ways to curb speeding, as well. But the first step should be to notify the RCMP. After that, the Town can proceed with traffic calming measures. 

Squires said the potential measures include speed bumps, speed humps, and other options. Councillor Dean Franey expressed concern that it will take a long time to get action in high speeding areas. 

Mayor Geoff Seymour suggested the starting place for the new policy should be areas already identified from the letters of complaint. 

Squires said he can investigate the areas noted in the complaints, and that anyone wishing to report speeding can fill out a form.

Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo suggested council refer the topic to the committee of the whole for further discussion, get pricing on the speed humps, and then come back to council with a recommendation on how to address the problem areas. 

Councillor Silas Badcock then raised the option of three-way stops. 

Tibbo said they could draw up a list of roads that could possibly have three-way stops implemented. 

Badcock also brought up the possibility of using speed humps that double as crosswalks, which he had seen in Conception Bay South.

It was ultimately decided that council will wait for Squires to come back with a plan before proceeding with the traffic calming measures. 

Councillor Dean Franey suggested that residents wanting speed humps on their streets should fill out applications, an idea he has brought up at previous meetings.