Update on speed management and traffic calming improvements in Township of South-West Oxford

With strong population growth and increased traffic across our communities, Oxford County regularly undertakes speed  management, traffic calming, and road safety reviews. Part of this work includes post monitoring after recommendations have been carried out to: 

• evaluate how effective traffic calming measures were in reducing vehicle speeds; and,
• consider if additional measures are needed.

After monitoring and assessing recent measures put into place in the Township of South-West Oxford, Oxford County is recommending additional speed management and traffic calming measures in Delmer, Beachville and Verschoyle.

Delmer – Oxford Road 20

Speed management and traffic calming improvements made in 2022 were measured in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with the
following results.

• The majority of vehicles entering Delmer on Oxford Road 20 from the east end showed reduced speeds up to 19 km/h (kilometres per hour).
• Vehicles exiting the village in this area showed reduced speeds up to 14 km/h.
• The majority of vehicles entering Delmer from the west end showed increased speeds of up to 13 km/h. Speed measured for vehicles leaving Delmer from this area increased up to 10 km/h.

With these results, Oxford County is recommending:

• Installing flexible centreline delineators on all village approaches and within 60km/h zone; and,
• Continuing to share post monitoring results and data with local Ontario Provincial Police.

Beachville – Oxford Road 9

Speed management and traffic calming improvements made in 2020, 2022 and 2023 were measured in 2022, 2023 and 2024,
with the following results.

• The majority of vehicles entering Beachville from the east end had reduced speeds up to 11 km/h, while those leaving Beachville in this area had reduced speeds up to 13 km/h.
• The majority of vehicles within the village had reduced speeds in both directions but speeds were still excessive in relation to the posted speed limit.
• The majority of vehicles entering from the west end had excessive speeds at the start of the 50 km/h zone but reduced speeds as vehicles approached the speed feedback sign.

With these results, Oxford County is recommending:

• Installing flexible centreline delineators throughout 50 km/h zones on both village approaches;
• Installing additional posted speed signs within the village on Oxford Road 9;
• Using Automated Speed Enforcement as part of potential future County-wide program in the Community Safety Zone on Oxford Road 9; and,
• Continuing to share post monitoring results and data with local Ontario Provincial Police.

Verschoyle – Oxford Road 10

Speed management and traffic calming improvements made in 2024 were measured the same year, with the following results.

• The majority of vehicles leaving Verschoyle at the north end showed reduced speed by 12 km/h.
• At the south end, outgoing vehicle speeds reduced by 13 km/h.
• Incoming vehicle speeds at the north and south ends were acceptable.

With these results, Oxford County has no further recommendations at this time but will continue to share post monitoring results and data with local Ontario Provincial Police.

Recommendations and public meeting

The new proposed road safety measures for the Township of South-West Oxford will be presented to Oxford County Council on:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Council meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.
Watch live online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream

Members of the public are invited to learn more and/or to present comments at Oxford County Council as a delegate. If you would like to present comments at Council, you must make a request to the County Clerk at clerksoffice@oxfordcounty.ca
by Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Please fill out a delegation request form online.

To read the full Council report that will be considered at the meeting, please check www.oxfordcounty.ca/council on Friday, March 7, 2025, when the council agenda and reports will be published.

About road safety reviews and traffic calming measures

Oxford County speed management, traffic calming and road safety reviews consider local community concerns for road safety; the need for intersection improvements, warning signs and/or crosswalks; current traffic speed and volume; collision data; and other factors that impact how traffic moves through a community.

Speeding, which poses a serious risk to public safety and property, is influenced by factors other than posted speed limits. Research has shown that speed is largely influenced by the surrounding driving environment and that most drivers travel at a speed they consider safe or comfortable.

For this reason, recommendations focus on proven measures to reduce speed by adjusting speed zone boundaries and providing visual cues, like:

• electronic speed feedback signs
• centreline delineators, pavement markings
• community entrance features (landscaping, street lights, gateway signs, etc.)

Managing traffic speed and keeping our roads safe is an ongoing process that relies on the strength of our traffic data, support from area municipalities, and community feedback.

Questions?

Public Works
publicworks@oxfordcounty.ca
1-800-755-0394, ext. 3108