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Churchill Rd. up for discussion-- again CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Acton councillors invite residents concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety on Churchill Rd. N. to a public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. at the Acton Arena and Community Centre. The three Halton Hills council representatives-- Jon Hurst, Mike O'Leary and Clark Somerville-- as well the Town's traffic department staff, will present findings of a recent traffic survey and police enforcement before hearing from anyone with on-going issues in this area. "We want to make sure all the problems are on the table and hopefully address them before we make any more changes," said Hurst yesterday (Thursday). Last month, several parents complained about their children's safety while crossing Churchill Rd. at Tanners Dr. to attend McKenzie-Smith Bennett School (MSB). The solution was to remove the north-south stop sign at Norman Ave. and relocate it to Tanners Dr. As well, the Town hired a crossing guard for that location. But the removal of the long-standing stop sign at Norman Ave., has prompted complaints and now complicating matters is Halton District School Board's decision last week to remove a bus stop for Tanners Dr. subdivision children-- about 15-- who attend Robert Little's French immersion program. This means even more children will be crossing Churchill Rd. at Tanners Dr. to catch a bus in front of MSB, said Hurst. Now that winter weather is moving in, the walk across a snow-laden soccer field-- the only access to the east side of MSB-- could become arduous for children. There is also no sidewalk on the west side of Churchill to ensure a safe-- but long-- walk around to MSB. Town traffic co-ordinator Bob Butrym did a traffic study of Churchill Rd. on Nov. 23 and noted the average speed in the morning was 41.5 km/h and in the after-school hours (3-4 p.m.) it was on average 44.5 km/h. in a 40 km/h zone. Some speeds in the 50 km/h range were recorded. "The speeds were... fairly low," said Butrym, noting that other school neighbourhoods would be envious of those speeds. He added that when the traffic study was done at the Churchill Rd. at Tanners Dr. intersection before the stop sign was relocated there, the speeds were much greater. On Nov. 30, councillors, Town staff and Halton Police held an on-site field meeting on Churchill Rd. Using a radar gun, the police officer and staff showed councillors the speeds of passing cars. As well, Halton Police ticketed about a dozen drivers in one day who drove through the Churchill Rd. at Tanners Drive. intersection. Butrym suggested there is an education process for drivers and pedestrians alike-- relearning how to use Churchill Rd. after the removal of a stop sign at Norman Ave. that had been in place for more than 25 years and the addition of a new one at Tanners Dr. He added those habits will quickly change with the increased police enforcement on the road. Anyone who has questions prior to the meeting is asked to call Jon Hurst at 519-853-2015.