Walters Falls resident asks council for 40 km/h signs, crosswalk on Victoria Street

A Victoria Street resident will ask Chatsworth council on Wednesday for lower speed limits, more signs and a pedestrian crossing in Walters Falls, saying children cross the street to reach a school bus with no crosswalk.

The request is a delegation on the agenda for council's regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. In an Oct. 10 letter to council, the resident asks for "an immediate safety review and signage improvements" along Victoria Street and nearby residential streets.

The concerns

The letter says:

• At the four-way stop approaching town, one direction is signed 50 km/h and the crossing road 60 km/h at the same corner.
• A Community Safety Zone sign has no speed limit sign with it.
• There are no speed limit or playground signs near the community park, which has a ball field and playground.
• Vehicles cresting a hill before Victoria and Front streets have limited sight lines.
• A school bus stop at Front and Victoria streets serves about six to eight children, who "must cross Victoria Street without a crosswalk to reach the bus."
• Trucks and delivery vans use the corridor between Highway 40 and routes toward Owen Sound, and the letter says delivery traffic has increased since 2024.

The requests

The resident asks the township to:

• Post 40 km/h signs with the Community Safety Zone sign at Victoria and Front, repeat them through the built-up area, and add them at side-street entrances
• Fix the 50/60 km/h split at the four-way stop
• Post 40 km/h on a gravel residential road leading to the park, and 30 to 40 km/h around the park
• Consider a radar speed feedback sign
• Study a pedestrian crossover near the school bus stop
• Add "blind hill" and "pedestrians ahead" warning signs
• Look at whether a school zone limit or better signs are warranted at the bus stop
• Install a stop sign or speed bumps at Victoria and Front in the direction of Bognor

The letter says copies went to the Chatsworth OPP detachment and Grey County, and it includes a neighbours' support petition. It also asks the township to say whether grant money is available for a speed feedback sign.

What council will decide

Council's recommended motion is only that the presentation on speed limit signage and pedestrian safety improvements to Victoria Street in Walters Falls "be received." The motion does not approve any of the requested changes.

Your turn

Do you walk or drive Victoria Street in Walters Falls? Tell us what you've seen at news@chatsworthbanner.ca.