7 Troubled Streets Identified In Warminster

Editor's Note —This is the first in a series on Warminster's streets.

WARMINSTER, PA —They are the township's troubled streets.

If you're trying to get to Street Road, Bristol Road, or County Line Road, chances are you've driven on one of these roads, whether you live in Warminster, Warrington, Northampton Township, Hatboro, Horsham Township, or Upper and Lower Southampton townships.

At recent meetings, residents have complained about traffic, speeding, and safety on some of these cut-through streets, asking supervisors to provide preventative measures. Township officials responded that the police chief would look into it.

In a presentation before Warminster Township Supervisors at last month's meeting, Police Chief James Donnelly labeled seven feeder streets to Street Road and other roads considered state highways as troubled.

The troubled streets are:

• Delmont Avenue
• Norristown Road
• Henry Avenue
• Newtown Road
• Centennial Road
• Ivyland Road
• Log College Drive
• Davisville Road
• Valley Road

Donnelly said that these roads present challenges for the police department whose primary goals of traffic enforcement are ensuring public safety, reducing accidents, and bringing awareness back to drivers.

He said the police department has several means of enforcement: Two speed signs, a speed trailer, traffic details, and a highway officer assigned to each squad.

Donnelly said that as of Oct. 3, there have been 1,354 traffic details.

He said the police department handles between 1,200 and 1,500 accidents a year with between 300 and 500 of them including injuries and towing needed.

"People should be focusing on the road," the chief said. "Instead they're on their phones and not paying attention."

"They probably were daydreaming," Township Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes quipped.

Donnelly said the police department could use some help with enforcement.

He said that the speed trailer, which is 10 years old, lasts about two-to-three days due to its battery running out.

Hayes wondered whether the township could purchase a few solar-powered ones.

"That would be worth the investment," Supervisor Mark McKee said.