Council deserves top marks for co-operation
Edmonton city council voted unanimously Tuesday to reduce speed limits beside 178 city playgrounds.
They’ll also change new school zone limits to include the playgrounds beside them and harmonize the operating hours.
The speed limits will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., but city staff said only playgrounds in residential areas will receive new signage. Any playground on a major or arterial road will get fencing along the road instead.
City officials said the changes will likely be finished before the end of the year. They will also add reflective tape to the signposts, motion-activated flashing lights in some cases, and driver-feedback signs.
“This gives our children a fighting chance to survive if they run out,” said Coun. Bev Esslinger, who said even seniors have been urging her to move forward on this file.
Several councillors who argued against the move seemed to change their minds.
Ward 4 Coun. Ed Gibbons first called it “social engineering,” but just before the vote threw his support behind it. All he really wanted was for it to come to council, forcing everyone to take a stand, he said.
Ward 12 Coun. Moe Banga also seemed to change his mind. As long as the new playground zones come with additional infrastructure such as upgraded crosswalks and new reflective tape, he said he could support it.
Ward 11 Coun. Mike Nickel read a study from Winnipeg suggesting signs alone only cause driver frustration; the shape and size of the road beside the playground has more impact of driver speeds.
“It’s a lot more complex than just a sign,” Nickel said.
But he, too, supported the new zones.
I would take that very seriously if someone out there got hit and it’s because of something I didn’t do.
Ward 10 Coun. Michael Walters estimated the zones would be roughly 150 metres long. That means only six seconds added to a commute. He warned administration against cracking down immediately with photo radar.
Ward 9 Coun. Bryan Anderson said this has been a long time coming. He and other council members tried to get it passed repeatedly during other terms, but transportation officials pushed back aggressively.
“I’m hearing from a lot of parents,” said Ward 3 Coun. Dave Loken, saying those parents support more safety measures around schools.
“I wholeheartedly support this,” he said. “I would take that very seriously if someone out there got hit and it’s because of something I didn’t do.”