No-engine-brake signs needed in Singhampton

Editor:

I am writing with regards to what is becoming more and more of a concern to the residents of Singhampton.

Singhampton is a somewhat unique community in that it is half in Grey County, and half in Simcoe County. Municipality wise, Grey Highlands and Clearview. Contacting governments around here can be a challenge, as you can never be sure who looks after what for whom?

My issue that continues to be a growing concern is engine brake usage in our small town, and how the local government of Grey County (which I have found out looks after Grey Rd 31/Simcoe Road 95 from the northern quarries into Singhampton) and Grey/Simcoe Road 124 from Shelburne in Singhampton appears not to care about the residents of Singhampton.

I have approached Grey County council and transportation department in an effort to get signs installed to attempt to have engine brake usage reduced in the residential town of Singhampton. Signs that continue to be in pretty much every other county/town/municipality in Ontario. These signs are merely a suggestion to drivers to respect that they are approaching a residential area, and asking them not to use engine brakes so as to disturb the residents. I am well aware that they are not enforceable unless there was a local bylaw passed.

Grey County has indicated (unlike any other county in Ontario) that they will not install any new signs due to insurance issues! Insurances issues? How can there be insurance issues for something that is not even required by law in Ontario to be on a truck. Engine brakes are merely to assist a truck in slowing down while going down hills, and are not intended to actually stop a truck! That’s where working air brakes come into play. I have confirmed this with the Ministry of Transportation offices in Barrie.

I have chatted with many Singhampton residents, and the truck engine brake noise appears to be a number one concern for everyone I talk to.

Singhampton is not built on an uphill or downhill.  In the grand scheme of things that town is very flat, and therefore has no real need for any sort of engine brake usage. I have also presented Grey County council with a petition signed by many residents of the town asking for engine brake signs to be installed (May 2015).

So, after all of this, it appears as though Grey County does not care about the residents of Singhampton, and has no interest in listening to its residents concerns, and following up to assist with the issues. I would implore all residents of Singhampton to contact council and express your concern over Grey County’s lack of caring for our community.

Ed Voogt,

Singhampton.