The Town of Newmarket has rejected a speed bump request for Willowick Drive and Carberry Street and instead will use other traffic calming measures to address resident concerns.
Town staff determined that the traffic levels did not warrant a speed bump following an investigation and study of the area. Instead, staff proposed implementing more temporary measures, namely traffic bollards, to come in 2024. The study, presented to council Oct. 23, was done after a resident petition was circulated and brought forward by Councillor Grace Simon.
Willowick Drive resident David Roy said traffic in the area is normally OK outside of rush hours, and he preferred avoiding a speed bump in the neighbourhood.
“I get annoyed by speed bumps as a driver, but I do see the purpose of having some different traffic calming measures,” he said.
The petition spurred a council resolution in March asking for a speed bump, with Willowick Drive and Carberry Street connected by a sharp bend requiring a 20 km/h speed. Residents also expressed concerns about traffic infiltrating the area from outside the neighbourhood.
But data gathered by staff showed average operating speeds on both streets was 44 km/h, just above the posted speed limit of 40 km/h, although Willowick between Carberry and Walpole Crescent had a higher speed at 48.4 km/h.
The report said that based on policy, speed humps are not warranted and are estimated to only bring down speeds on the crescent to 45 km/h.
The study found the area sees about 1,350 vehicles go through each day, but found only about six per cent of traffic entering and exiting Carberry is infiltration traffic.
The area has only had one recent collision in the past five years, an accident involving a parked vehicle on Willowick.
Instead of a speed bump, the staff report recommended more regular traffic calming measures, namely traffic bollards and pavement markings.
Councillor Grace Simon said she appreciated the report and addressing this street was a priority for her in the term.
“Residents were very concerned by the speed and that tight bend that comes around,” Simon said, adding that regarding the data, “I was quite surprised to see the numbers as low as they were.”
But she said based on feedback from door-knocking, she knows people were worried, with many young children in the area.
“I respect the professionals to do their due diligence,” she said. “I’m comfortable with going forward with street painting and the bollards to start.”
The proposed bollards and line paintings will be focused on the tight curve connecting Willowick and Carberry. The report will be sent to all residents within the area, with an invitation to speak at a future council meeting when the issue will be up for discussion.
