NEWBURY — Neighborhood businesses should be involved in talks aimed at resolving traffic issues in Byfield Village center, town officials agreed this week.
Planning Board member David Powell told selectmen Tuesday evening that staff members from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission had observed traffic patterns in the area during an Oct. 22 site visit, accompanied by Powell, Town Planner Martha Taylor and Selectwoman Audrey Keller.
They found that most drivers observed the posted 30 mph speed limits on Central and Main streets, the two major thoroughfares through the area.
"Most people stay within the legal limit; although, I'm not sure whether that should be the practical limit," Powell said.
Powell said he hadn't asked MVPC staff for recommendations, just observations.
Traffic through the village has been a front-burner issue since the summer. Residents of the area say commuters from West Newbury and Georgetown use the Byfield streets as shortcuts onto and off adjacent Interstate 95.
Powell said he saw the priorities as improving traffic flow between Main and Central streets at the intersection where the Byfield post office is located, clarifying parking issues throughout the area and aiding pedestrian access at Lunt and Main streets.
He reiterated that there is no clear demarcation between the roadway and the parking lot at the post office, leading people to cut corners. Selectmen Chairman Joseph Story said he has been working with the owner of the post office property to delineate boundaries.
Powell said "no parking" signs, especially on Main Street, are ambiguous as to where parking is allowed and where it is prohibited.
He also said people entering, parking at and exiting Steve's Auto Service at 52 Main St. and Main Street Mini-Mart at 53 Main St. are raising the hazard level in the pedestrian crosswalks across Lunt and Main streets.
The crosswalks themselves are poorly located and inadequately marked, he said.
He said the owners of those businesses haven't participated in past meetings to discuss the problem and urged that they be contacted.
Town officials have made some changes in the traffic pattern since the issue was first raised by Lunt Street residents John Ashton and John Salter last June.
A four-way stop at Lunt and Church streets and Downfall Road was established. Lunt Street was changed from two-way to one-way — from Central to Main.
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