High River Town Council heard from three concerned citizens in Town Council on Monday Jan. 13th.

A public hearing was held on proposed traffic bylaw changes that call for slower speed limits in town, timed parking in the downtown core and regulations on RV parking in public areas.

All three residents in opposition stated they felt the changes would be a waste of taxpayers money as they either don't see enforcement changing or they don't believe there's actually that bad of a speeding and road safety problem in High River.

Nine year resident of High River Allen Tabish says he's been following the changes since they were brought up and announced, and he doesn't believe any good would come of them.

"I think there are a number of issues around how this all lines up with the Alberta Traffic Bylaws. As a result (of the proposed changes) we have to put up more signs and sign all of the streets that would no longer be 50 kilometers per hour, there's no way to do it the other way around and according to Peter Genereaux that would increase costs by about $17,000 plus."

Tabish says a lack of enforcement resources could also mean those changes may be for nothing.

"It also creates a problem for the Peace Officers and RCMP who now have to manage multiple speed limits through the town and there are limited resources. If we only get 10 hours a week from the Foothills Peace Officers who administer all of the bylaws and the RCMP of course have better things to worry about than scratching chalk on people's tires, so if the bylaw isn't enforced, it won't make any difference."

Something Tabish had in common with those opposed to the changes was a lack of evidence that there was a problem to begin with.

"Myself along with some of the other speakers here today talked about the fact that there is no statistical evidence that says we need this. I don't hear that we have a big problem with traffic accidents in town, I don't see that we have a big problem with pedestrians being hit." Tabish says "Now, I don't ever want that to happen and if I felt that reducing speed limits to 40 from 50 kilometers an hour would make an actual difference then by all means do it."

Tabish says according to recent census results High River is shown to have a much older population, which means the community naturally drives slower and has a slower pace of life, eliminating the need for even slower speed limits.

He says if anything he could understand Council lowering speed limits but only for High Country Drive, where a lot of complaints seem to directed.

Tabish says he hopes Council will consider the opposition before they make their final decision.