To the Editor:
We, taxpayers understand from previous meetings with Council that no bump outs would be constructed on / at High Street.
Many of us attended the meeting regarding proposed changes to High Street to review the drawings. At this meeting many sketches and drawings were on display.
The area was full to overflowing and no one was (only young people) on hand to answer questions and explain the drawings. We were shocked that NO presentation was made by our elected Town council members or Burnside to explain the reasoning of the purposed changes. Common sense would or should have been a factor in the planning and design. That old saying “If it isn’t broke don’t fix it” should have been used.
We understood when we left that meeting that there would be NO bump outs. One Councillor …. stated that NO – bump outs are planned. However, curb extensions will be installed. The name change bump out to curb extensions are one in the same. The residents (tax payers) of Southampton are not as uninformed as our elected officials believe we are.
It is the understanding of Council and residents that 90% of Town Residents are opposed to any further construction of bump outs/curb extensions or whatever. It has been stated that the BIA are wanting street changes ever though their businesses will be affected by loss of parking . Again, it is difficult to understand how a small group (BIA) can have changes approved when the MAJORITY of their paying customers are opposed!! Is this not the Tail wagging the Dog?
We are aware that a letter was received on April 12th 2025 from Mr. Allen Burrows . This gentleman has thirty years of experience on traffic engineering . He believes that what Saugeen Shores Council are proposing will create traffic congestion and possible accidents.
Snow conditions in winter create enough problems and, if snow is piled up at this High Street corner, it will be an accident hot spot. Look at Huron and High Street. No consideration has been allowed for the space a tractor trailer requires to make a turn to attend businesses east of High Street to Carlisle. The average business at the flour mill requires a semi-truck/trailer 20 feet to make a turn and the existing plan leaves 10 feet. How could your planners not take this issue into their design?
For example: The Devonshire sit (likely by same planners) has had to be altered to use the bike lane to rectify poor planning and design.
Another point that we would like Council to be aware of is that The Town of Innisfil put in bump outs or curb extensions, as our Council refer to them, around 2023. AND in 2024 the bump outs were removed as they caused more traffic issues than had ever been previously reported.
Councillors are stating that it will make our street safer for pedestrians. Police and Town residents can only recall one accident which was 95 years ago involving a pedestrian on High Street.
We would like Council to remember that High Street does not belong to a few but it belongs to all tax payers. Our elected officials are determined to appease a small group being the BIA rather than listening and doing what the majority of residents are wanting.
Is this what is called the democratic way???
We do not want our tax dollars used in what Council are proposing!
To all persons reading this memo we suggest you e-mail , telephone, door knock, etc. your elected officials and inform them of how you feel about this insane change to our beautiful wide High Street. Do remember that bump outs and curb extensions are the same.
Concerned residents of Southampton.
