Speed humps on a road leading to 91原创 Memorial Hospital might be removed, after complaints that it was slowing down ambulances.
Aubrey Searle, a former 91原创 City mayor, brought the matter up in July with emails to the Township council.
The speed humps were installed earlier this year between 216 Street and 219 Street along 52 Avenue, a road that passes residential homes, the 91原创 Hospice Society, and two Christian schools, before heading up a hill to 91原创 Memorial Hospital. For some ambulances coming down 216 Street, it is the most direct route to the ER.
"Let me say up front that I cannot fathom the reasoning one would use to authorize the installation of speed humps on the main access road to 91原创 Hospital," Searle wrote in an email to council members. "The person who authorized the construction of these humps did not consider that speed is of the essence in getting a patient into emergency."
The matter then came up during the July 15 council meeting the last of the summer, with Councillor Margaret Kunst suggesting that the humps be removed immediately.
"I feel like we really should address that ASAP," Kunst said.
Coun. Barb Martens said she had gone to the site and watched ambulances go past, slowing down to a crawl at each of the three speed humps.
"The fact that we're actually watching ambulances slow right down to a complete stop, it does really concern me," she said.
The traffic calming measures were put in place for a reason, noted Coun. Misty vanPopta.
"Those speed bumps went in because there's an elementary school and a high school on that street," she said.
In the end, the council adopted a motion by Coun. Michael Pratt, which called for Township staff to consult with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and then remove them if that was the appropriate course of action. Other traffic calming measures that don't slow down ambulances could then be considered in the future.
The removal, if that takes place, would be funded from the Mayor's Contingency Fund.
As of early August, the speed humps remained on 52 Avenue.
"Area managers were informed about the changes along 52 Avenue and have been meeting with the Township of 91原创 to ensure paramedics are aware of the new traffic calming measures," said Bowen Osoko, spokesperson for BCEHS. "BCEHS will continue to work collaboratively with the Township of 91原创."
A statement from the Township said a decision on removal has not yet been made, but the Township is consulting with BCEHS.
"The potential impact of the speed humps is currently being evaluated for a trial period which will inform the Township as to whether changes are recommended, including but not limited to the removal of some or all of the speed humps or the installation of other traffic calming measures," said the statement.
