Newmarket resident Doug Mossop believes that local laws should protect his neighbourhood on Gorham Street from heavy truck traffic passing through.
These trucks are supposed to generally avoid all streets under town jurisdiction, and instead use busier regional roads like Davis Drive and Mulock Drive. But Mossop said that these trucks have continued to use Gorham Street as a shortcut, and it remains a nuisance — one that he does not believe law enforcement is doing enough against.
“That just adds to the mess on our street with traffic issues,” he said. “They don’t care what signs are up because they just want to drive through the quickest way possible … It’s frustrating, it really is.”
He's not the only Newmarket resident to express frustration with heavy truck traffic on local roads. The rules dictate these trucks must avoid local roads unless travelling to a location within the municipality that would specifically require the use of local roads. These heavy trucks are defined as those weighing three tonnes or more, and the restriction applies at all times of day.
Mossop said he regularly sees cement trucks, dump trucks and other large construction trucks not supposed to be there.
“It ends up being a cost factor in the long run because the more truck traffic we have, the more wear and tear on the roads,” Mossop said. “It’s going to cost the town more money. They’re going to have to fix and resurface it sooner.”
But getting enforcement in the area has been challenging, Mossop said, with some uncertainty on jurisdiction.
Newmarket corporate services commissioner Esther Armchuk said enforcement is an effective measure and the town traffic bylaw regulates the use of roads in Newmarket. However, she added the municipality does not have the authority to pull over moving vehicles in contravention of the bylaw.
“When the town receives a request related to heavy trucks in prohibited streets, staff will investigate the complaint and see if there is anything we can do to curb non-compliance,” Armchuk said. “For example, is there construction or development in the area that can be causing increased truck traffic? If so, the town will remind them of their approved routes and issue fines as required.”
Armchuk said that residents who witness heavy truck traffic in prohibited areas should report to York Regional Police at its non-emergency line of 1-866-876-5423, or through the police’s Road Watch program as the police force does have the authority to pull over vehicles.
York Regional Police did not respond to a request for comment before publication deadline.
The town said it is committed to making safer streets and speed mitigation. The town is working to introduce automated speed enforcement, which would allow it to enforce against moving vehicles speeding in community safety zones within Newmarket. Council will be discussing what sites will get speed cameras Sept. 11, with staff proposing locations including Stonehaven Avenue and Queen Street, as well as Gorham.
Mossop said while the town has said the concern falls under York Regional Police's jurisdiction, he has been told by the police that it is the town’s responsibility.
“It comes down to one word: complacency. No one wants to do anything,” he said.
