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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-12-07, Page 3Wednesday, December 7, 2016 • News Record 3 Blyth residents push for stoplight at Highways 4 and 25 Justine Alkema Clinton News Record Blyth and area residents are rallying together to vie for stop- lights at the intersection of Highways 4 and 25 on the south side of the village. Chris Patterson, who has been a resident in Blyth for around eight years, started a Facebook group two weeks ago called "Blyth Residents for Stoplights", and the group already has around 900 members. Patterson has believed the intersection to be dangerous ever since he moved to Blyth, however he chose to take action several weeks ago after experi- encing an accident at the loca- tion. While he and the other driver were lucky to escape with only minor injuries, both of the vehicles involved were totalled. Then, two weeks later, he was nearly in another accident in a new work truck at the same spot. Unbeknownst to Patterson, at around the same time he decided to start a Facebook group, Bob Knott, a councillor for North Huron, was also gear- ing up to lobby for stoplights at the same intersection. As a concerned resident, Knott planned to circulate a petition for the cause. That's when he got a call from friends informing him that a Facebook group had been started for the stoplights. Highways 4 and 25 are both county roads, not municipally owned, so it is the county who decides to build lights or not. Knott said North Huron had recently amended a procedural bylaw to establish what an "actionable petition" is. This means there are certain requirements that make a peti- tion valid including each per- son's name, address and signature. Knott said this is so "it can be verified that [each signature] is a living breathing person:' He said while Facebook pages are great ways to rally people, they can't present that to Huron County. So, Knott and Peterson con- nected and combined their drive to create a viable peti- tion. This petition has been spread to many locations throughout the area including businesses in Blyth, Londes- borough, Wingham, Walton, Aubum, and Belgrave; there is also a petition in Clinton in the Rural Business Network on Albert Street. Names will be collected until December 13. After December 13, Knott will look for supporting letters from neighbouring municipali- ties before presenting the peti- tions and letters to county council. "This is a countywide issue," said Knott, noting that the busy intersection sees many people driving through the town, not just Blyth residents. Knott said there are many reasons why the intersection is dangerous. First, cars coming from the south are looldng up a hill, obscuring their vision. Also, he said this intersection is noto- rious for people not stopping at Senior Caregivers: FRE rial day at Adult Day Centres! ONE CARE's Adult Day Centres programs are for frail seniors, those with dementia and adults with physical disabilities, provided in a safe and welcoming environment. Why not have your loved one join us for a day of holiday celebration in December while you take a break or do Christmas shopping? Centres in Exeter, Grand Bend, Clinton, Goderich, Wingham ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services I: care 1-877-502-8277 bVe www.onecaresupport.ca Justine Alkema Clinton News Record For years, residents have been trying to get a stoplight at the intersection of Highways 4 and 25 pictured here. Now, petitions are circling around the county and a new Facebook page has 900 members for the cause. the stop signs. To make matters worse, with the opening of the Tim Hortons, gas station and Cowbell Brewery, traffic is expected to increase at the stop; this is also where fire trucks pull out of their station on Highway 25 east. Also, even though the speed changes to 50 before the intersection, many people are still going 90 coming in, causing drivers to misjudge their speed. There was a road audit done by the county in the past year on the intersection which took in consideration the new Tim Hortons and Cowbell, and that audit determined that a stop- light was not needed due to a number of factors including the number of collisions and the flow of traffic. However Knott argued that many accidents aren't reported if they are minor enough not to require the OPP. Also, both Knott and Patterson said their numbers don't represent the numbers of close calls. "I've been dropping off peti- tions, and every business I've gone to so far has supported stoplights," said Patterson in a recent interview. "I'm kind of astounded at the number of people telling me the stories of the close calls they've had; some of them have been fairly serious [such as] big trucks coming through and not stopping." Knott said that "everyone has a story" to tell about close calls at that intersection. CONTINUED > PAGE 6 clintonnewsrecord.com r4.0044,rr CLINTON RADARS 2016-2017 HOME GAMES • 3 FRIDAY - DECEMBER 9, 2016 - 8:30 PM TAVISTOCK ROYALS IP CLINTON RADARS SPONSORED BY: DYKSTRA CNST UCFION OFFICE: 519-482-9082 CELL: 519-525-8675 ORSAMEhilik nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES NWMO Learn More Centre The Municipality of Central Huron is one of nine communities involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Clinton. Everyone is welcome. NWMO Learn More Centre (Central Huron) 38 Albert Street, Clinton ON 519.386.6711 Monday Tuesday Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.