To deal with concerns of speeding on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, a new speed radar has been temporarily designated along the Orléans road.

Speeding has been an issue in front of Convent Glen Catholic School, located on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard North, for quite some time.

Back in April, the Ottawa Catholic School Board passed a motion put forth by Orléans-Cumberland trustee Stephen Blais, requesting that the school push for the idea of having community safety zones designated at local schools.

He also sent a request to the City of Ottawa.

“Speeding has been a real problem in the area,” said Blais. “There are a lot of kids walking to school.”

Under section 214.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, municipal councils are given the power to designate part of a roadway under its jurisdiction as a community safety zone if in its opinion, public safety is of concern.

With the designation of a community safety zone, fines are doubled. The community safety zone is within a 1 kilometre radius of elementary schools.

“Hopefully by doubling the fines, it was make people more aware of the issue,” added Blais.

The speed radars, which will see eventually four to five placed at intersections in the Convent Glen area, are being used for a trial period and will be evaluated by city staff over the next few weeks The issue will have to go to the city’s transportation committee and eventually council for approval, said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette.

But Monette said that other councillors are not supporting the idea of placing community safety zones at local schools.

“The issue is receiving a negative response,” added Monette. “We do need to look at the overall picture. This is a problem not only in Orléans, but all across Ottawa.”

Blais said that the reason council is not supporting the idea is because during pre amalgamation, a joint study was done which determined that community safety zones were not affective.

“The parametres weren’t outlined, and the study is over 10 years old,” said Blais. “There needs to be a different approach taken when dealing with an issue such as speeding.”

Blais said speed radars are a good first step, but there needs to be more to address the issue of speeding.

“There are many things that can be done,” said Blais. “The public really needs to be educated.”