By Beatrice Toplitsky
BELLEVILLE – Quinte West’s public works and environmental services committee met Tuesday to discuss speeding complaints from people in the area near Riverside Parkway.
On the table were recommendations from city staff to increase police presence and signage, as well as to create a community safety zone on the Parkway from Hannah Lane to Belleville Street.
Director of public works and environmental services Chris Angelo said he saw the problem for himself.
“My personal viewpoint is, regardless of what the speed limit is, there are some issues with speeding in that area,” he explained.
Angelo suggested that the area needs more police presence to end the speeding problem. The recommendation includes upping surveillance by the Ontario Provincial Police along the Parkway.
Mayor Jim Harrison expressed some hesitancy to up police presence.
“Police can only do so much, they can only do so much enforcement. And remember that if you want more, and we require more, then we’ve got to be prepared to pay for it,” Mayor Harrison said.
The police presence would come with steeper fines as a result of the creation a community safety zone from Hannah Ln. to Belleville St.
Policing isn’t the only option for addressing the problem, said Angelo. The committee was also recommending that more signage be installed in both directions this spring.
Councillor Allen DeWitt, the chair of the committee, talked about the use of LED solar flashing speed signs to slow traffic.
“I don’t know about anyone else … when you see one and it’s flashing at you, your initial reflex is to take your foot off of the gas, so I think they’re incredibly effective,” said DeWitt
Although some members of the public have expressed interest in reducing the speed limit for the area, Angelo said he doesn’t think it’s necessary.
“I don’t believe that’s the most important thing to do at this point in time. I think it’s more about enforcement and it’s about education of the public in that area.”
The recommendation passed and will now go before full council.