Fairport residents request traffic calming on their road
Fri Jan 25, 2008
By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- Fairport Road resident Wayne Gibson wants his family to ride bikes and walk along his long-time street without fear.

"If I lose sight of (my five-year-old grandson) for just a second, my heart comes right out of my throat," he said.

Mr. Gibson spoke Monday night, along with former councillor Maurice Brenner, on behalf of the Citizens Group for Traffic Calming on Fairport Road. They spoke on the need for a Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Committee, comprising of City staff, residents and police, if Council sees fit to form a traffic calming plan.

"We want to review the different options that are out there," he said in an interview. "What we need to do is find the right fit or combination thereof."

Mr. Brenner explained 122 (of 125) homes on Fairport Road between Kingston Road and Finch Avenue support the request. Further, the group requested that the committee commence its first meeting the second week in February at the latest, and that staff report back to Council on the possible costs in the 2008 budget. The report will go back to staff, and come back to executive committee for consideration. But, Mr. Brenner said the group will move forward nonetheless.

"We didn't get a commitment that they're doing it, so we're doing it," he said afterward. Mr. Brenner said the group will consider options, and what's cost-effective and doable within immediate and long-term time frames, and said the group will form its own committee and ask members of Council to attend a meeting it'll hold recommending its plans.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson asked Mr. Gibson if he's seen traffic get worse over the years he's lived there. Mr. Gibson said there has been an increase in volume but, mostly, people have become careless. He's noticed speeds (the limit is 40 kilometres per hour) at 100 kilometres per hour. Coun. Johnson asked if widening the road is an option, which was met with laughter from the audience and a "no" from Mr. Gibson. Coun. Johnson then questioned radar guns. "Been there, done that," Mr. Gibson replied.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley mentioned a meeting is already scheduled to address these types of issues on Feb. 5 at City Hall, and wonders why Mr. Brenner is addressing traffic now.

"Is it public-serving or self-serving" she said.

Mr. Brenner said the group will attend that meeting, but it's regarding a development application, which could affect traffic, "but it's not a traffic-calming meeting."

Fairport Road resident Gayle Clow also questioned Mr. Brenner's interest in helping residents now, when similar requests in the past were rejected by Council when he was a member.

"While I am grateful and happy that perhaps now something will actually be done, I have to ask, why now" she wrote in an e-mail.

Mr. Brenner explained back then, there was no proper process to address these types of concerns, but now there is. He added he still cares about the community, and the past year has reminded him of the frustrations the community faces.

"I think I have a much better perspective now than I had then," he said.