“It’s absolutely critical we don’t have different approaches going from ward to ward,” he said. “We have to have consistency.”

Councillors will have ultimate authority as to approving any changes to the speed limits, Soldo said.

A few councillors applauded the idea of lower speed limits, especially near schools. Stoney Creek Coun. Maria Pearson said Dewitt Road, which has been targeted by staff, already has a 50 km/h speed limit, which is reduced to 40 km/h near Our Lady of Peace elementary school and Orchard Park Secondary School. The city has flashing lights to identify the 40 km/h speed.

Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann attempted to introduce a motion to establish a 40 km/h speed limit on Main Street and King Street, with flashing lights, a reduction of the streets’ current 50 km/h limit to accommodate a several schools in the areas, including Cathy Wever Elementary School, which is located on Wentworth Street, and the new Bernie Custis Secondary School on King Street.

But Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson suggested she introduce her motion at the next public works meeting in July when the entire issue would be discussed.

Ferguson said he wanted to discuss any speed limit changes on Ancaster neighbourhood roads with his residents first to get their approval.

The province approved Bill 65 in 2017 that took effect in the spring of 2018 giving municipalities the power to lower speeds for entire neighbourhoods by posting so-called “gateway” signs where motorists enter and exit communities.

Previously, signs for speed limits lower than the default 50 km/h had to be posted every 300 metres on every street, reaching a cost to taxpayers of over $1 million.

Hamilton’s traffic officials have been overwhelmed with residents’ requests to reduce the speed limit within their neighbourhood. In 2015, 40 km/h signs were installed on 250 streets with hundreds of requests left outstanding. The traffic department annually receives about 700 requests annually from residents concerned about speeding and aggressive driving within their neighbourhoods.

Ontario’s chief coroner recommended in 2012 the province reduce the default speed limit to 40 km/h, highlighting the fact pedestrians struck by a vehicle at 50 km/h are twice as likely to die as those hit at the lower speed.

A 2013 report by the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton found the risk of injury to pedestrians locally was significantly higher than the provincial average.



