Henry Avenue, Newtown Road 'Speedway' For Drivers

WARMINSTER, PA —Austin Ryan watches the vehicles speed along Henry Avenue, many of them going 40 mph, 15 mph over the speed limit.

The street runs through a residential neighborhood and past the Township Municipal Building. But it's also one of the township's main thoroughfares, connecting County Line Road to York Road.

It can also be a quick shortcut to avoid traffic on both those heavily traveled roads. That has made Henry Avenue a choice for drivers with Police Chief James Donnelly saying that the street sees about 17,000 vehicles a day.

Ryan appeared before Township Supervisors last week, stating that he had a petition of 63 signatures asking township officials to take measures to slow down drivers.

"This is a major road and a residential street," said Ryan, asking if the township could post four-way stop signs.

Resident Pat Boyle also added that the newly paved Newtown Road has become "a speedway."

"We have six bus stops on the road so it's a concern," she said.

Township Manager Tom Scott said the police department and township engineer are taking a look at that road and others in the township.

"The question is whether this is a problem or not," Scott said.

Scott said that Donnelly is expected to present to supervisors a traffic analysis of the township's heavily traveled roads in either October or November.

He said the township might then take measures if analysis shows reckless and careless driving and speeding.

Township Engineer Craig Kennard said there are pros and cons regarding traffic calming and that the township also needs to follow recommendations and standards from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

"Stop signs can't be used to control speed," Kennard said. "Traffic calming the state doesn't encourage. We get a couple of these requests a year."

Scott said that traffic calming means that the township needs to "physically alter" streets.

He said speed bumps or signs might not be the answer and maybe there are some "less drastic measures" the township can take.

Supervisor Mark McKee added that speed bumps might destroy plows during the winter.

"It's our residents who are doing the speeding," Supervisor Janice Charlton said. "Shame on them."