Spaniard’s Bay councillors divided over speed bumps

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Members of Spaniard’s Bay council couldn’t agree at their July public meeting on whether to start installing speed bumps on some streets in town or not.

The subject arose because of multiple complaints from residents about speeding on Mint Cove Pond Road. 

“I know we’ve talked about speed bumps, and we’ve talked about speed within this community,” said councillor Darlene Stamp, “and I know we have a policy about no speed bumps. But that was based on a conversation that we had with the RCMP about seven years ago.” 

Stamp argued the situation has changed since then as the RCMP is experiencing staffing issues, which makes it harder for the police to address speeding and safety issues. Stamp said it’s time for council to start addressing the concerns.

Stamp made a motion to place a speed bump or several at Mint Cove Pond Road to see if the traffic calming measures are effective. 

Mayor Paul Brazil called for someone to second the motion, but neither of the other council members present, Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver and councillor Debbie Newman, did so. 

Stamp asked why they were reluctant to consider speed bumps. 

Brazil responded that, thus far, nothing has deterred speeders on that road — not potholes, nor Children at Play signs. 

“And the same thing happens for speed bumps,” he said. “They’ll come down there as fast as they want to. Within two car lengths of the speed bump they’ll slow down enough so that they can go over it without beating the bottom out of their car, and the minute they’re on the other side, gone again.” 

Brazil said if council is going to change its policy on speed bumps, it needs a town-wide strategy rather than sporadic placement. He added that he thinks people overestimate the success rate of speed bumps.

Stamp said she has previously suggested council contact the provincial Department of Transportation about analyzing all of Spaniard’s Bay’s roadways. However, they have yet to get a response, which Stamp said is why the Town needs to address the issues itself one-by-one. She suggested council strike a committee and work with the provincial department to observe the town’s roads and address speed, traffic flow, and other issues. Stamp said residents are asking the Town weekly to address speeding and that if council does not come together to address the issue, it will continue having items related to speeding on the agenda at every meeting.

“Traffic violations for speeding are not our responsibility,” said Brazil. “The RCMP are the ones who have the responsibility to see to that.” 

Brazil said council does not have the resources or authority to do much about the problem other than encourage people to contact the police. 

Deputy Mayor Oliver noted the RCMP previously told council that speed bumps are not effective in reducing speeding. 

Stamp suggested that speed bumps like those the Town of Bay Roberts has placed by a school could be effective as they are higher.

Brazil pointed out that Bay Roberts is able to place such bumps because they do not impact the residents in the area. 

“Everyone has another way to get out of their driveway and go wherever they’ve got to go without cutting across that space,” he said.