In deference to the grieving Brock community, Regional councillors voted Wednesday to expedite the construction of a guardrail along a stretch of road where an eight-year-old girl was killed on Christmas Eve.

Brittany Mabee-Wilson died after her mother’s pick-up truck skidded off an icy road and flipped, landing on its roof in a flooded creek on the north side of Regional Road 12 (Cameron Street) near Hwy. 12, just outside of Cannington. Passing motorists were able to pull the mother from the truck, but were unable to free the child, who drowned in about two feet of water.

Following the accident, Brock Township requested that the Region install guardrails along the stretch of road. Durham staff examined the road and recommended that the work be done within five years.

However, at Wednesday’s works committee meeting, Uxbridge Councillor Howie Herrema raised the issue and suggested moving the work up.

“I believe it would be good not only for the safety aspect, but (it shows) Durham Region is listening to the residents of Brock Township,” he said.

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson agreed and successfully motioned that the $50,000 guardrail be paid for with surplus works funds from the 2008 budget or that it be included in the 2009 budget.

“That way the residents know if we can find the money this year we will and in the worst case scenario it will be included in the 2009 budget,” he said.