- Target:
- Local Government
- Region:
- Canada
The Parkdale Market and Park (playground) receives daily heavy foot traffic year-round. There is currently NO posted speed limit on the surrounding roads, and according to the City of Ottawa, this defaults the speed limit to 50km/h.
According to Safe Kids Canada a child stuck by a car traveling at 50km/h has an 80% chance of dying as a result of the “accident”; Reducing the speed to 30km/h means that child has a 95% chance of surviving.
The number of incidents of speeding drivers along these streets is shocking, and unacceptable. We are tired of people speeding through our neighborhood, and past our park like they are rushing to a fire.
Several inquiries and complaints and reports have been filed with City staff, and with the Ottawa Police over the last 3 years, yet nothing has changed. Several calls have been placed to the office of Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Ottawa Centre) recently with regard to our concerns, as yet with no response.
One resident proposed a speed survey, and requested speed bumps be installed, however was told by a city staff that the city could not conduct a speed survey on Hamilton Avenue due to the metered parking on both sides of the street, and that they could not install speed bumps for the same reason. We believe this conveys the message that the city favors the convenience (and profit) of the metered parking over the safety of our children.
Hamilton Avenue also has visibility dangers. All along Hamilton on the Playground side there is angled parking, making it impossible for drivers to see a child entering the road from between cars before it is too late.
The lack of children at play signs is insulting. The ONE sign on Hamilton Avenue (at the corner of Armstrong) is typically covered by brush from the bushes and trees beside it, and as a result is rarely visible.
Children and pedestrians coming and going from the park and market are also at risk crossing Armstrong at the corner of the park as there is no Stop Sign or crosswalk.
Recently, road construction on Wellington Street has detoured traffic along Armstrong between Holland and Parkdale avenues, increasing the danger at this corner by increasing the flow of traffic a great deal. The road construction is expected to last throughout the summer and well into the fall.
As Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Friends to the children in this community, we should NOT WAIT until a child is lying in the road dead from a speeding car to act. Now is the time to act to prevent such a tragedy.
To:
Christine Leadman City Councilor
Paul Dewar MP (Ottawa Centre)
Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Ottawa Centre)
We, the undersigned, are seeking your assistance to make the following changes with regard to child and pedestrian safety in the area surrounding Parkdale Market and Park in your riding.
This area has heavy foot traffic due to the market, and high volumes of children due to the park and pool.
1. There is currently no posted speed limit on either Armstrong Street or Hamilton Avenue, nor through the one way which runs between the market and playground. We propose a posted speed limit of
• 30km/hour on Armstrong Street
• 20km/hour on Hamilton Avenue
• 10km/hour through the market’s one way access road.
2. Drivers often speed through the market, and alongside the park. We propose speed bumps be installed
• on Hamilton Avenue along the park
• and through the Market’s one way access road.
3. The corner of Hamilton and Armstrong is currently a 2 way stop, making it a danger for pedestrians to cross safely to and from the Park and Market. We propose the intersection of Armstrong and Hamilton requires a 4way stop with pedestrian crosswalks in both directions.
We, the undersigned, believe these simple measures will reduce the risk of child and pedestrian “accidents” in this area, and thank you for valuing the safety of the people and children who live, work, play and shop in this area.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Speed Limits, Traffic signs and PEDESTRIAN SAFETY petition to Local Government was written by Shannon Marie and is in the category Roads & Transport at GoPetition.