Some changes are coming to community safety zones and speed limits around schools this fall.
The County of Peterborough approved the Consolidated Speed Limit By-law and Community Safety Zone By-law last week which would bring all schools into conformity with the recently passed School Signage and Pavement Markings Policy and Community Safety Zone Policy.
A report from Doug Saccoccia, general manager of engineering & construction stated that his team reviewed 12 school zones within the County for the consideration of changes.
These schools included:
• Apsley Public School
• Buckhorn Public School
• Crestwood Secondary and Intermediate School
• Lakefield College School
• Lakefield District Public School
• Millbrook/South Cavan Public School
• North Cavan Public School
• Our Lady of Wayside Catholic School
• Rhema Christian School
• St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
• St. Martin Catholic Elementary School
• Warsaw Public School
Changes for schools within the East Kawarthas were outlined in the report as:
Apsley:
A 40 km/h school speed zone during school hours (signed with RB-123 signs) be implemented. This school speed zone is proposed to be located approximately at the same location as the current school area signs and one new speed radar sign is proposed south of the school.
Buckhorn Public School:
No major changes, rather implementing signing the speed (40 km/h) with typical maximum speed signs, as opposed to the existing modified school zone signs and the replacement of a missing community safety zone sign.
Lakefield College School:
Lakefield College School is located just outside the 50 km/h speed zone for the settlement of Lakefield and so it was suggested that the 50 km/h zone be extended past the frontage of the school (currently 60 km/h).
Lakefield District Public School:
A 40 km/h school speed zone during school hours be implemented. The report stated that, if this were implemented with the current speed zone it could cause confusion with motorists due to the existing transition between 50 and 60 km/h speed zones. County staff suggested that the 50 km/h zone be extended to the end of the houses within the settlement area. As the current posted speed limit is 70 km/h, the 60 km/h transition zone is no longer required. One of the existing speed radar signs will be relocated.
Our Lady of Wayside Catholic School:
Two new speed radar signs are proposed for the school
Rhema Christian School:
Rhema Christian School is located in close proximity to the County/City Boundary at Television Road. The report said that there is insufficient space to properly sign a school speed reduction based on this proximity. Staff are suggesting that the speed limit in front of Rhema be reduced to 40 km/h, 24 hours/7 days a week to best achieve the speed reduction for the school. One new speed radar sign is proposed for the school.
St. Martin Catholic Elementary School:
A 40 km/h school speed zone during school hours, signed with RB-123 signs will be implemented. This school speed zone is proposed to be located approximately at the same location as the current school area signs
St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School:
St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School fronts onto Douro 4th Line, but there is an entrance on County Road 8. Currently, the speed limit is 60 km/h on County Road 8, while it is 40 km/h on Douro 4th Line. County staff suggested that a speed reduction be implemented for the school on County Road 8. Staff also recommended that the speed limit within Douro be reduced to 50 km/h 24 hours/7 days a week to best achieve the speed reduction for the school. One new speed radar sign is proposed for the school.
Warsaw Public School:
No additional signage is warranted based on the policyIn terms of Community Safety Zones, due to certain legislating most schools within the county qualify for exemption to creating these zones. However, both St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and Warsaw Public School do require Community Safety Zones as they abut township roads. This means the County is not able to help them with these zones.
That being said, Saccoccia recommended to council that all schools, whether they qualify for an exemption or not, should have a community safety zone established.
The report said that that all Community Safety Zones for schools should be in effect year-round for consistency across the County, simplicity of enforcement, and the fact that school properties are often used by a variety of groups outside of typical school hours.
Saccoccia’s report stated that where speed limits are to be reduced with RB-123 signage, the speed limit shall be 40 km/h, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, between September and June. The speed limit shall be 50 km/h at all other times.
County Coun. Carolyn Amyotte said she was very thankful on behalf of Apsley for the speed reduction near the school as well as for the new radar sign.
Coun. Ryan Huntley asked if staff had considered rumble strips in school zones to alert people to the speed reduction rather than just using pavement paint and signage.
Saccoccia said that yes they had considered it and even tested it out a few years ago. During the testing period there were issues with winter maintenance of the roads where they were placed. He also went on to say he did not feel they were necessary to implement in the County at this point.
The Consolidated Speed Limit By-law and Community Safety Zone By-law was passed. All changes will be in place by September 2025 for the new school year.
