Neighbourhood Streets policy aims to engineer safer residential roadways for all users while also addressing speeding vehicles
A new policy aimed at making Calgary’s residential streets more accessible to all users instead of just cars was received by a city council committee on Friday but also received constructive criticism from a few councillors.
The Neighbourhood Streets Policy is being designed to replace the city’s former Traffic Calming Policy. It went before the infrastructure and planning committee.
Jen Malzer, acting program co-ordinator and transportation engineer, said the policy will help build safer and more inclusive communities “by renewing balance between place and mobility for all ages and abilities on our streets.”
The policy talks about “activating” residential streets so that more users feel comfortable and safe while walking and cycling.
While the old traffic calming policy looked to slow traffic with speed bumps and signs, the new policy talks about engineering solutions, while also creating temporary and permanent spaces where residents can utilize space.
Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp had concerns the document is much less specific than the former traffic calming policy it is set to replace. She also felt it had a lot of jargon.
“I don’t feel like my constituents understand that this policy is going to start mitigating those (speeding) issues,” she said.
Coun. Andre Chabot said he often gets complaints about excessive speeding on residential streets in his Ward 10 communities. However, he was worried the policy could create a “chicken and egg” situation in regards to getting people out and feeling safe along residential streets as it replaces the former traffic calming policy.
“The idea of activating those streets would require some sort of traffic calming measures to be implemented prior to them even considering getting involved in the street,” he said. “So how is this policy gonna respond to that?”
Malzer assured him it does not get rid of traffic calming in any way, but instead gives the city greater ability and more tools to enact traffic calming measures.
Instead of waiting for petitions to come in from concerned citizens, she said, the city will have the authority to create “built solutions” wherever speeding is a safety concern.
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said taking away the lobbying and politicization of getting traffic calming measures brought to residential streets will mean more communities will get solutions they need to deal with excessive speed.
“I mean, where did we do the first real traffic calming in the City of Calgary? In Mount Royal,” said Carra. “They got beautiful traffic circles and stuff like that. And what we know now is that not just wealthy people and well-connected people and well-represented people need this work.”
He said instead of waiting for squeaky wheels to complain, professional experts will be able to address problem areas.
The council committee voted 7-1 to recommend the policy for approval to council. Only Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean was opposed.
brthomas@postmedia.com
Twitter: @brodie_thomas
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