ERIN – Erin council wants a detailed plan on how to handle the upcoming increase in traffic.
At a Thursday afternoon meeting, Erin councillors approved a motion to direct staff to expedite a report looking at options on how to fast track a transportation master plan.
The motion by Coun. Cathy Aylard noted Erin has budgeted $100,000 in 2024 for a transportation master plan and should be considered a high priority project as the plan is intended to improve the “safety and livability of our community by managing the safe and efficient movement of traffic flow, whether by vehicle, bike or foot.”
“It is essential that a proactive stance be taken to ensure the future development is planned to ensure the safety and quality of life for our residents,” Aylard said, reading the motion at council.
In Erin, there are multiple proposed and approved subdivisions at various stages of completion that would add thousands of houses and people to the town, meaning more traffic.
This came on the heels of a delegation earlier in the meeting from a resident representing a neighbourhood off 10th Line outside of Erin village asking for stop signs on the road and a yield sign at a single-lane bridge.
“The traffic on 10th Line, the volume of it is increasing and speeding is an issue as well and with the additional new houses going in that volume will only increase,” said Martha Hirst.
Aylard explained through conversations with the new CAO Rob Adams, who she said offered insight into best practices from different municipalities, that “it’s become very clear that we’re behind with our planning. It’s imperative that we get a move on this.”
Coun. Bridget Ryan was in full support as the change the town residents had been anticipating for decades is happening now.
“I feel strongly that we can’t have one off decisions on these separate builds because we’re all going to be affected,” Ryan said.
Coun. John Brennan said this should involve the County of Wellington as well as its roads will be impacted too.
“We’re going to face a lot of changes, new traffic patterns, things like that and I think it’s important that we get this underway now before all of that is built,” Brennan said. “If you have a base from which to build, then you can build a much better future than just doing it haphazardly.”
