Rees To D'Aoust (Speed Limit & Other Issues)

From: Mark Rees
To:Pierre D'Aoust

Subject: Speed Limit Change On Oxton Avenue and Other Issues

Hi Pierre:

Thank you for the update...

For the speed limit reduction I would like to thank you and Councillor Walker on behalf of our neighbourhood for obtaining council approval for the reduction in the speed limit to 40kms on Oxton Avenue.

With respect to the stop sign, I note with interest the recent November 16, the Public Meeting (see attached) regarding southbound right turns restrictions off Avenue at Hillholmn and Killbarry.

Naturally, any turning restrictions such as those proposed will undoubtedly increase traffic on Oxton (already at 20,000 a day) can you please tell me:

1. What impact does Councillor Walker envisioned will occur to total Oxton traffic volumes (now 20,000 a day) should these changes go through?
   
2. Following implementation of these changes does Councillor Walker agree that pedestrian safety would be even more a concern at Oxton-Oriole?
   
3. Now that the election date has been decided when does Councillor Walker plan to hold our public meeting (as promised in a phone conversation while you were away on holiday) to discuss Oxton-Oriole pedestrian safety at the corner? I will need time to get into the local buildings to let people know, so advance warning would be helpful.
   
4. In Transportation Services latest report reference was made to a review of the lighting situation at the corner of Oxton-Oriole. I am not yet aware as to the conclusions of this study or whether or not it has even been undertaken. Do you mind providing me with a status as to where we are with this review (To give you an idea of what I mean I personally use a flashing bike light when crossing this intersection at night because it's just to hard for moving cars to see crossing pedestrians).

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak to a point reiterated in the latest Transportation Services study that cites a lack of crossing pedestrians at Oxton-Oriole. I view this as an Oxton-Oriole "myth" for reason being that if you run a non-stop, continuous "river of steel" in front of any safety conscious pedestrians they are likely to be scarred off from crossing the road, which has effectively happened at Oxton-Oriole.

So the question becomes are there truly no pedestrians at Oxton-Oriole or have they simple be forced into accepting the inconvenience of having to do the long way round to the subway for the benefit of near-by home-owners. I am confident that if there was a safe crossing pedestrians would quickly follow (and let's not forget it was risky enough even when the stop sign was in place) if freed from the fear of being imminently mowed down by a car.

(Pierre: I still think traffic lights with a continuous right-turn advance until a pedestrian pushes the button would meet the goals of free-moving traffic, not upset the near-by home owners fearing car invasions and provide pedestrian safety when needed. You'd just need to break some old ridge rules that do not meet the needs or realities of Oxton-Oriole!)

All this aside, if you could get back to me regarding the questions above that would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Mark

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D'Aoust To Rees (Speed Limit)

From: :Pierre D'Aoust
ToMark Rees

Subject: Speed Limit Changes

Hi Mark,

It looks like the speed limit change will not be a problem at all. As for the Stop sign, the item was deferred indefinitely at Community Council. Councillor Walker will refer it back to works committee for their next meeting (January 11, 2006)...

Sincerely,

Constituency Assistant to Councillor Michael Walker

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