In an effort to continue to work on the issues discussed above, I arranged a meeting with Waterloo Regional Police, City of Waterloo By-Law, Eastbridge citizens, the General Manager of Public Works, the Director of Parks as well as myself.  As well, I met with the chairperson of the Eastbridge neighbourhood Association.  Sorting through the above issues will not be easy, but it is agreed that pro active steps will be initiated by all to start the process towards improving situation. 

Traffic concerns remain a challenge within the neighbourhood.  The traffic calming recommendations were implemented at the time the subdivision was developed, but people continue to speed even with the measures in place.  As recommended by Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) I placed a call to request that Chesepeake, New Hampshire and Eastbridge be included in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.   

As well, By-Law officers have been requested to add the streets surrounding the elementary schools to their rotating schedule of parking enforcement in and around school zones.  I understand the thoughts of driving to the school, dropping off children and immediately heading to work in the same vehicle.  I further recognize the added time required to walk children to school at the beginning of very busy days and mornings.  The difficulty is that vehicles are preventing families from leaving their homes, safely exiting their driveways and overall increases stress and anxiety for everyone.  If you currently drive your children to school as opposed to walking, please consider ways in which you could eliminate the drive by sharing the walk with a neighbour every other day or through a “walking school bus” from your street.

 
With a new school on the horizon, it was also requested that staff look into setting up a “hot zone” restricted to school operating hours around the new school to be established.  This zone will be like the one set up by the school board and the City at the new elementary school on the west side.  This hot zone will prevent parking and stopping.  The school is intended to be a walkable school and for the sake of the neighbours living closest to the school I do hope that Eastbridge families will embrace the concept.  It was this concept that assisted the trustees in supporting the school in this location. 

As the colder weather approaches please remember that the City has passed an anti-idling bylaw requiring vehicles to be turned off when waiting longer than three minutes. 

With regard to the issues in the public green spaces the following next steps are underway: 

Clearly undertaking all of the work above will take time and a willingness on behalf of Eastbridge residents to assist with resolving some of the items.  Eastbridge is a gem of a community and has the strongest neighbourhood association in my ward.  I continue to be impressed by the Eastbridge Neighbourhood board of directors.  I thank them for their commitment to work with the City and WRPS to try to improve the community. 

I certainly value your comments on this article.  I can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .