By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Bay Bulls Town Council has approved the installation of speed humps as weather permits at the usual locations but is considering an additional hump for Sheldon Drive.
Speed humps are currently located in three park and recreational areas, with two near the playground at Island Cove Road, six along the road to the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre and one near the Sheldon Drive playground.
Deputy Mayor Ethan Williams said that following last summer’s busy season, some residents questioned whether the hump on Sheldon Drive shouldn’t be on the straight section as opposed to the downhill portion of the road.
“I know that it’s sort of in the area where the road leads into the playground there on Sheldon Drive, but there was a little confusion about putting the speed bump in an area where you’re naturally coming down on an incline,” Williams said. “A lot of people noted that people were naturally yielding coming down that hill, but once they made that turn and got to the flat part of Sheldon Drive that they were instantly picking up speed for that straight shot.”
Chief Administrative Officer Ashley Wakeham said there used to be speed humps on the straight portion of the road until 2023. Other speed control measures have been put in place on Sheldon Drive since then, including a speed sign and new signage highlighting it as a traffic-calmed area.
“At the end of the day it comes down to enforcement through the RCMP, so my advice would be anybody seeing people picking up speed and speeding through that area it needs to be recorded for a couple of reasons,” Wakeham said.
One of those reasons, she explained, is so that the RCMP can maintain statistics for the area, which could eventually lead to enough numbers for more officers to be assigned to the Southern Shore.
“So, it’s very important this is logged through the proper channels,” Wakeham said.
Councillor Corey Ronayne suggested relocating one hump from another area to put at the straightaway on Sheldon Drive, possibly one from around the Lifestyle Centre.
Mayor Keith O’Driscoll indicated the six speed humps located near the Lifestyle Centre might be a little excessive. However, Wakeham disagreed, arguing it is a busy area.
“You have kids in soccer on the front field and back field, you got softball, you also got summer programming and other users of the site, and a daycare,” Wakeham said. “It’s very, very heavily trafficked and very busy.”
Wakeham said there are extra speed humps available, so there is no need to relocate any from the previously assigned areas. “We can do both,” she said.
