City committee supports speed reduction in London school zone

Another school zone in London is set for a reduction.

On Tuesday, the civic works committee gave its support to reducing the speed from 50 km/h to 40 km/h near Cleardale Public School in south London.

The speed limit reduction will happen on Nixon Avenue and Dulaney Drive between Ferndale Avenue and Alston Road.

The speed limit reduction is part of London’s road safety strategy.

“This is one tool in a tool box. We have many tools we can utilize. As per the policy, we’re trying to achieve our goals that we’ve stated underneath vision zero, and lowering the speed limits along these school areas is one of them,” said Edward Soldo, director of roads and transportation for the city.

Soldo adds reducing the speed limit is only one part of the plan to make the neighbourhood safer.

“It’s about engineering, it’s about education, it’s about enforcement as well. In terms of how we’re going to achieve the 40 km/h, if there is a problematic area, specifically along Nixon Avenue or Dulaney Drive, we’ll have to make sure we have the appropriate enforcement out there, ” said Soldo.

Ward 6 Councillor Phil Squire believes looking at drivers who follow the rules of the road can help pave the way to safer roads.

“I’m always amazed when we sit here that we never look at the people who are speeding we’re always saying we’ve got to get better enforcement out there, we’ve got to do this, we’ve got to do that. What about the people who are driving the cars, obeying the law? I think that would be a pretty good place to start,” said Squire.

The new speed limit will not be approved in time for the start of the school year next week.

In 2016, the speed limit areas around Jean Vanier Catholic School, Westmount Public School, and Saunders Secondary School on Viscount Road were reduced.