Speed limits on all residential streets in View Royal could be reduced to 30 km/h in a bid by council to keep locals safe and reduce the risk of fatalities.
The council is also considering reducing the speed limit of Island Highway, between Admirals Road and the Thetis interchange, from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
“If we can reduce the risk of a fatality, I think we should do everything we can,” said Mayor Sid Tobias at a meeting on July 9.
Anticipating concerns about “sign pollution”, one suggestion proposed by Ivan Leung, director of engineering, is creating a “gateway speed zone”, which imposes a speed limit on an entire area, removing the need for signs on all streets.
But not everyone was on board with the drop to 30 km/h, with Coun. Don Brown describing the speed as “excruciatingly slow”. He instead supported a mix of 30 km/hr and 40 km/hr throughout the neighbourhoods.
However, the majority of councillors were in favour of one clear speed limit for all residential streets.
“It sends a message,” said Coun. Ron Mattson. “We may upset a few people but who cares. Because the reality is that it is good for the community, it’s good for the residents, and it’s going to save lives.”
“We need to move on this pretty darn quick,” added Coun. John Rogers pointing to a rise in the town’s population because of province housing targets. “All those individuals coming in need to have the clear message that they’re coming in with these speed limits.”
Town staff will bring back a project summary to councillors later in the year about how the multi-year project can be rolled out. Staff have said that public engagement will help inform any decisions that are made.
