With the rapidly changing landscape in Whitchurch-Stouffville, sometimes it’s hard to figure out where you are.

Coping with a rapidly growing population means more traffic, and a greater need for traffic controls. New lights at Main St. and Tenth Line south, west of the turn onto Tenth Line north, are a recent addition. Because of a jog in Tenth Line, however, the lights apply only to the intersection at Tenth Line south.

Meanwhile, drivers going north have traditionally been given right of way over westbound drivers, even though the former are turning left across Main St. traffic. This intersection has always been a testing ground for driving dexterity, as those unfamiliar with the area sometimes ignore the stop sign, narrowly avoiding a collision in the process.

When the lights were first installed, a notice was posted advising drivers that the large stop sign for westbound traffic on Main St. would shortly be removed, which meant right of way would no longer apply for those turning north. However, the decision to remove the stop sign was reversed, given that new lights are planned at the intersection at Main St. and Tenth Line north later this year. We think the town made a wise choice, since the sign’s removal would likely cause more problems than it would solve.

Then there is the new crosswalk on Weldon Rd., just east of the entrance to No Frills, which is a welcome addition to the area. But while pedestrians can now get across the street safely, there is no walkway between the sidewalk and the parking lot, and they are faced with a terrifying barrage of traffic en route to the store. This is particularly problematic for those seniors who rely on walkers to get around.

Since we’re pushing the pro-pedestrian platform, why is there no crosswalk in the vicinity of Stouffville GO station? With no traffic lights on Main St. between Ninth Line and Market St. and a rapid increase in GO ridership, pedestrians, often with small children in tow, are constantly seen dodging their way through the traffic to get to the station.

Let’s encourage more people to leave their cars at home and walk by making it a safe and viable alternative.

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