Stop and stare: council reduces speed limit on Martin Street | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton News

Stop and stare: council reduces speed limit on Martin Street

Speed limit will drop on Martin Street after construction complete.

PENTICTON - Martin Street is undergoing some changes as part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan, and the speed limit is going to change as well.

Council voted to reduce the speed limit on Martin Street from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 km/h between Lakeshore Drive and Nanaimo Avenue, beginning in the end of May, after the revitalization construction is complete.

As part of the street’s beautification plan, sidewalks are being widened, and benches, trees are being added to make the street more inviting.

Council also discussed bylaw amendments for sidewalk cafes along the street. Staff have heard from business owners interested in ‘patio’ seating in front of their shops. So far four or five owners have expressed interest in partitioning off sidewalk space in front of their restaurants and cafes.

This use of sidewalk space had councillors debating the speed reduction for safety purposes.

Coun. Wes Hopkin commented that if the speed was reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, people can look at the businesses as they drive by, and may be more inclined to stop in for a look.

But other councillors weren’t as sold on the idea. Coun. Katie Robinson strongly opposed the idea, expressing concerns that Martin Street would be the third major downtown street with a reduced speed limit.

Despite Robinson’s opposition, council decided it best to reduce the speed on Martin Street for pedestrian safety. Staff said if council decides to extend the reduced speed limitations to a larger strip of the street, that could be arranged at a later date.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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