Measures needed to thwart speeders, council told
Mayor Peter Trent says he is in complete accord with Argyle Avenue resident Ed Vickery, who returned to a city council meeting last week to report that the speeding problem on his street has gotten worse.
"It's like I'm standing on the side of a highway," Vickery said of the passing cars which he claims can reach speeds of 90 kilometres per hour — "which is very scary when you're going out to get into your car and they're flying by you."
Vickery has gone to previous city council meetings to ask if something could be done to slow down lead-footed motorists in Westmount, but not only has no action been taken, he says, but cars are going even faster.
"I spoke to the previous police commissioner," Vickery said, "but there's been no difference except speeds are even higher."
He suggested that the installation of a speed bump on his street would help the situation. "I believe a physical barrier is necessary — perhaps a speed bump and stop sign," he said. "There are speed bumps on roads that are of a higher incline than this particular section of Argyle."
Trent said he echoed Vickery's concerns, as he sees the same problem in front of his home on Cote St. Antoine Road. "I've noticed not just increased volume, but increased speed," Trent said. "It's incredible — and that's going uphill!"
City councillor Cynthia Lulham pointed out that speed bumps are not always very effective. "We've been humping and bumping the city and it's not working," she said, adding that Outremont has a street-narrowing program in place which City officials may be looking into.
"I'm in the same boat as you," Trent told Vickery. "I think collectively we have to find a solution to this because it's getting out of hand."