Residents along the stretch of Ravenscliffe Road past Hutcheson Beach Road toward the Big East River hill have the support of Huntsville Council in getting motorists to slow down.
Council was unanimous in their decision to ask the District of Muskoka to reduce the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h from Hutcheson Beach Road travelling west to the corner at 668 Ravenscliffe Road. The section of Ravenscliffe Road from town to Hutcheson Beach Road is already 50 km/h.
Ted Sewell, a resident in the area with three small children, circulated a petition, which he says garnered the support of every resident living along that stretch of Ravenscliffe. Those who signed the petition agree that the stretch of road is a built-up, residential area that has become a speedway. They point out that the shoulders are narrow, often making it necessary to walk on the road to avoid the ditch, and that getting to school bus stops, the fairgrounds, the sports fields and skate park is dangerous.
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Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, who also lives in the area, brought the motion to council, saying something needs to be done before a serious accident occurs. “l’d rather be doing this now, before anything negative were to happen out that way,” Wiebe told councillors. “There have been some close calls. (A speed limit reduction) is not going to stop everyone. It’s not going to slow everyone down, but it is going to slow some people down. And I think the signage and the awareness could make a difference.”
In response to the petition, and in recognition of the narrow shoulders that leave little room for residents, and particularly children, to safely bike or walk to the school bus, beach or sports fields, Huntsville Council is requesting the District of Muskoka pass a bylaw reducing the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h on Ravenscliffe Road from Hutcheson Beach Road travelling west to the corner at 668 Ravenscliffe Road; that signage warning of pedestrians, children playing and school bus stopping be added; and that consideration be given to the widening of one shoulder on the road.
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