Maximum speed for school zones, playgrounds to change in Battleford

Aug 14, 2018 | 5:46 PM

The Town of Battleford reduced the traffic speed around school zones, among a number of changes it is making to increase safety for children and residents.

At its meeting Monday, council approved a bylaw to set a 30 km/h maximum traffic speed for school zones and playgrounds, a reduction from the 40 km/h previously in effect. 

Deputy Mayor Kevin Russell said the town’s main focus is to improve student safety as well as parent safety when dropping off and picking up children at the schools in Battleford.

“We are making some changes to the speed limits,” he said following the meeting, adding that new signage will be up soon. The town is currently in the process of installing the signs. 

Russell said during the council meeting the town wanted to begin making these changes right away since the new school year will be starting soon. The town will be notifying residents, teachers, staff and everyone affected.

Based on the town’s written report submitted by CAO John Enns-Wind, the issue was raised due to a number of concerns about children’s safety crossing the roadways, since according to the report “in March a child was hit and there have been near misses.”

Other concerns include the narrowness of the roads when traffic is stopped on both sides, as well as issues with bus parking, traffic speed, and residential parking and driveway access.

As a result, the town is imposing the following additional changes that are now in effect:

Twenty-fifth St. will become a one-way street between Third Avenue and Second Avenue, with vehicles travelling west to east. Residential permit parking only is permitted in this section. Twenty-third street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue will be for school buses only between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday from September until the end of June. 

The west (Tot Lot) side of Second Avenue will be a drop-off and pick-up zone only, with no parking permitted at anytime.

If anyone has any concerns or questions related to the changes in the bylaw they are asked to call the town hall directly. 

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW