WAVERLEY: The new councillor for District 1 may not have news that Waverley, Windsor Junction, and Fall River-area residents looking at speed signs to curb speeding in the area want to hear.
Cathy Deagle Gammon gave an update on the purchase of three speed radar signs meant to be installed in areas throughout District 1. The Waverley Community Association would play the lead role on where they are to be placed, but it is the Halifax Traffic Authority that would place them and maintain the signs.
The speed signs were purchased by former District 1 councillor Steve Streatch using the discretionary funds for the community, as is permitted.
At that time, The Laker News asked Streatch and Steve Sinnott, from the Waverley Community Association, what assurances the WCA had that the signs will indeed be in these communities here, and not used in other communities by the Traffic Authority. Sinnott said there is a verbal agreement with Streatch that they are for Waverley/Fall River.
“This is an area that needs help. They (the traffic authority) know we need help,” said Streatch, agreeing with Sinnott in a previous article on The Laker’s website.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 9)However, it seems that is not what is going to happen.
According to Deagle Gammon, the Traffic Authority has told her that while the speed signs will be initially deployed in District 1 , there is no guarantee they may stay in District 1
That left her a bit disgruntled.
“There are no assurances that they will stay in District 1, unfortunately,” said Deagle Gammon. “One of my responsibilities will be to provide road safety where we would like to see them deployed.”
Deagle Gammon said the WCA did provide some input on where they would like the signs to be installed, namely Waverley Road; Rocky Lake Drive; and Hwy 2 Fall River.
“In terms of time frame, it’s hard to pin down but the Traffic Authority is hopeful they will be up before the ground freezes,” she said. “It is the responsibility of road safety to determine the use. They apply their metrics and criteria and some criteria if they determine they are effective in changing driver behaviour.
“If they’re effective, they will remain in a location for a bit of time, but if not to they will be re-located within HRM. We are hopeful if they are re-located in HRM, they could stay in District 1, but it really is the responsibility of the Traffic Authority.”
