Northumberland County has enacted a new by-law aimed at controlling speeds near schools on county roads during regular school hours.

The speed limit on county roads around schools has been officially reduced to 40 kilometres per hour from the previous 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. This decision came following consultations with schools and local OPP detachment traffic divisions.

The county is installing traffic calming flashing signals in the vicinity of six more schools that will be subject to the speed reductions.

There are 11 schools on county roads, with five schools having signage and speed reduction requirements already in place. The six remaining schools that have been specifically targeted for these new safety enhancements include North Hope Central Public School on County Road 9, Northumberland Hills Public School on County Road 25, Spring Valley Public School on County Road 26, Roseneath Centennial Public School on County Road 45, Dale Road Senior Public School on County Road 74 and Plainville Public School on County Road 18.

County Director of Public Works Denise Marshall says the technology being used for the signals will have make those school zones safer. They are solar operated and staff can work remotely as needed.

"If someone it loses power and we need to change the timing, we can do that remotely without having to get a bucket truck and additional staff time to go out and make those changes," Marshall said.

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