Stephen Blais, Catholic school board trustee for Orléans-Cumberland, is urging the City of Ottawa to extensively look at placing a crossing guard at the intersection of Gardenway Drive and Thicket Way located in the Fallingbrook area.

On March 9th, a preliminary analysis of the area was done by the city for two hours, from 7 a.m to 9 a.m. City staff observed three children crossing the intersection.

City staff came back saying that the intersection did not warrant a crossing guard.

Rob Jellett, city councillor for Cumberland, whose ward includes the area in question, asked that city staff study the intersection once the snow is melted.

"There was still snow on the ground, and it was winter time so maybe there weren't a lot of kids walking because it was cold," said the east end councillor.

Jellett said that the city will fund crossing guards for what it deems as busy intersections. The city ranks how busy intersections are, and will fund a crossing guard if the intersection meets the necessary requirements.

But Blais feels that the residents of Fallingbrook are getting shortchanged by the city.

"Parents have serious safety concerns about their children walking to school every morning," said Blais. "The city's lack of leadership in ensuring the safety of children is troubling."

Children walking from the eastern edge of Fallingbrook to St. Clare Catholic School are not provided with a sidewalk.

There is a sidewalk located on the south side of Garden way Drive and ends at Thicket Way.

Children would have to cross the street or continue to walk on the road. There is no stop sign at the intersection.

"Kids basically have to jaywalk," said Blais. "Gardenway is busy and it is a major bus route. The speed limit is 40 km/h but I can guarantee that people drive upwards to 50 km/h or even 60 km/h."

Garden Way and Thicket is adjacent to the soccer fields located in the Gardenway crater. Residents park on the street and other side streets while taking their children to soccer.

Blais feels that a stop sign, on top of a crossing guard, will help the kids walk the streets safer.

"It makes common sense to put a stop sign," he said. "It will help slow traffic down."

Jellett anticipated the city will send someone in either April or May for the second study.