Residents Want Help Braking Motorists' Need for Speed

A handful of residents whose streets border the field asked for Hatboro Borough Council’s help in curbing through traffic.

Charlie Hess of James Road said speeding cut-through and truck traffic is particularly bad on the tree-lined residential roadway from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. He said drivers ignore the posted "Children at Play" and 25 MPH signs. 

“We need your help before something goes wrong. I lived through that 33 years ago when I was these guys’ age,” Hess said to the council Monday, as he motioned to kids sitting nearby. “When you ask these people to try and slow down, you’re usually met with an obscenity.” 

Hess said James Road is home to deaf, as well as autistic residents and asked if the council could either lower the speed limit to 15 MPH, or place “Do Not Enter” signs at the road’s entrance from Blair Mill Road.

Chief James Gardner said since James Road is in Upper Moreland’s “panhandle,” the township agreed to conduct a speed survey, which Gardner said would be carried out this week.

“We can look at the warning signs,” Gardner said. “The signs have to be supported by factual data.”

That information will come from the speed survey, he said. Since traffic is coming from Blair Mill Road – which is in Upper Moreland – that municipality would need to consider regulations, such as adopting an ordinance to install a Do Not Enter sign, Gardner said.

“There’s certain things we can do,” Gardner said. “I don’t recommend kids playing in the street. I’ve personally seen kids run out between parked cars." 

Another resident said that in addition to James Road, neighboring Home Road is prone to speeders too. Red-and-white signs staked into the grassy areas on the sidewalk encourage motorists to "Slow Down."

Amy Holden of James Road supplied the council with information on speed humps, which she said could be removed during winter for plowing.

“I don’t know if it’s feasible, but we can certainly look at the information,” Council President Marianne Reymer said.