Petition richtet sich an: West Grey Council Members

Dear Council Members,

I am writing to formally request that the Municipality of West Grey consider the installation of designated school zone signage and the assignment of a crossing guard on Hwy 6. and Jackson St E. This roadway is a major thoroughfare with consistently high traffic volumes, and it serves as a key route for students walking to and from school.

At present, a designated crossing exists further south for Spruce Ridge School, providing signage and a crossing guard to assist children with safely navigating this same street. However, additional students must cross at other points along Hwy.6, where no comparable protections exist. This creates an inequitable and unsafe situation for children and families in our community.

Municipalities across Ontario follow Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 15 – Pedestrian Crossing Treatments and Book 5 – Regulatory Signs, which identify the importance of clearly marked school zones, speed reduction measures, and supervised crossings in areas where children are at risk. Implementing these measures not only improves immediate safety but also aligns with Vision Zero principles, a policy framework adopted by many jurisdictions to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on roadways.

Introducing appropriate signage and a crossing guard at this location would:

• Improve driver awareness of the presence of children.
• Reduce vehicle speeds in a school zone context.
• Provide equitable and consistent protection for all students who must cross Hwy.6.
• Demonstrate the municipality’s commitment to proactive, preventative safety measures.

Sincerely,

A concerned member of the Durham community