Olde Village Free House owner Allan Cockburn said he can still recall when a patron was struck by a vehicle outside his restaurant on downtown Main Street several years ago.
Although Cockburn said the patron recovered after getting stitches, he remains concerned about speeding on the road. After watching it over the summer, Cockburn made a plea at the Main Street BIA AGM Nov. 9 for action.
“If there was a speed bump, a sleeping policeman, in place closer to the lights or further from the lights, maybe that wouldn’t have happened,” he said. “Reducing the speed on Main Street is a huge thing for me.”
The town is grappling with speeding complaints throughout the community, conducting studies at several neighbourhoods in response to concerns. Council is planning an upcoming workshop on the issue, though data has not always backed up speeding as an issue at some locations garnering concern.
But Neon Flamingo Emporium and Café owner Ted Heald said he can attest to the speed problems of the street, after a vehicle hit a light post outside his store this past summer.
“Someone is going to get killed,” he said. “People speeding up and down like it’s a highway.”
Councillor Bob Kwapis said speed bumps could prove a problem for emergency responders, who would likely oppose it. But he said he could raise Main Street speeding at the upcoming council workshop. He added the town installed a speed board in the area recently.
“No matter how many times there’s a flashing speed limit, there’s going to be people breaking that limit or ignoring it,” Kwapis said at the BIA meeting. “Something should be done.”
However, he added a proposed pedestrianization pilot could also lead to a solution to the issue.
“That might be one of the positive things that come out of that,” Kwapis said. “When I’m out at the patio, and I’m sure many others, that are trying to enjoy a dinner, and there’s a modified car, a modified motorcycle going by, it does not make it as enjoyable as it could be.”
Cockburn questioned emergency responders using Main Street to get to calls versus Prospect Street or other alternatives.
But Central York Fire Services Chief Ian Laing said routes are based on efficiency.
“We respond to emergencies by using the optimal route in an effort to get to the situation as quickly as possible,” he said.
Cockburn said he hopes temporary speed bumps could still be considered.
“There’s no reason to go more than 25 to 30 kilometres per hour on Main Street at any given time,” he said. “The cars go through there so fast. It’s so frustrating.”
