Ridout Street is a 1.4 km street that connects the west side of Walkerton to Bruce Road 2 (via Thomas Street) to the north, and Highway 9 to the south, and provides access to the Bruce County Rail Trail for walkers, cyclists, ATV's and snowmobiles.

With three new residential developments, JDR Subdivision, Walker West Estates, and the Crawford Street Development, Ridout Street has seen increased automobile, recreational vehicle, and foot traffic. Automobile, commercial, and recreation vehicle speeds along Ridout Street are a concern for residents along the street. Previous measures to control speed (a seasonal speed hump at Ridout and Shortt Street) are temporary and have not deterred excessive speed on Ridout Street. 

Only 270 m of Ridout's total 1.4 km length has sidewalks - approximately 150 m of sidewalk between the intersection of Maple, Elgin and Ridout Streets through to the intersection of Ridout and Thomas Streets, and approximately 120 m of sidewalk between McGivern Street W. and Bill Street. With increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic this lack of connecting sidewalks has become a large safety concern. There are several bus stops located along Ridout Street and in the winter the combination of high snow banks, lack of sidewalks, and excessive speed, is especially concerning for the safety of these children.

With the proposed development of the former Bogdon & Gross Furniture Factory site, the risk and liability of increased traffic, vehicle speeds, and lack of sidewalks can't be ignored any longer. 

We the undersigned, are concerned with the risk and liability of increased traffic, vehicle speeds, and lack of sidewalks on Ridout Street, and request that the Council of the Municipality of Brockton review and plan for the following:

- implement immediate speed control measures along the length of Ridout Street, between Thomas Street and Highway 9, not limited to: reduction of speed limit, traffic control measures, etc.

- installation of sidewalk to connect the entire length of Ridout Street as soon as possible

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