As follow-up to the recent eight days of snow, City crews have begun work in residential communities on local streets. Since that work has begun citizens have begun to contact The City. Our hope is to clear up some of the uncertainty surrounding the plowing we do in residential communities.
An interim Snow and Ice Control policy was put in place last winter to guide City crews. A policy is necessary to make a clear statement of the intent of The City of Calgary winter maintenance operations. It establishes the priorities, standards and service levels of the snow and ice control program and was subject to review and approval of City Council.
In accordance with this policy, City crews will only plow snow, not completely remove snow from roads, unless Calgary experiences extreme weather like we did last winter. Snow plowing differs from snow removal. Removing snow from all city streets is incredibly costly, and not a realistic option in the context of our current budget. Snow plowing may result in windrows on one or both sides of the road. The clearing of windrows left by City equipment at intersections, lane entrances and bus stops will be the responsibility of the City and will be cleared as soon as is practical.
On residential roads, the current interim policy states that: The clearing of windrows in front of driveways left by snow plowing equipment shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner. If snow plowing equipment is used, attempts will be made to keep driveways clear, but any spillage shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner. The Roads Maintenance Manager will have the discretion to assess complaints, regarding windrows left due to plowing operations. If assessed as being greater than 30 centimetres in height, the Roads Maintenance Manager or Designate has the authority to direct the removal of the windrow with City crews. Otherwise, such windrows left by snow plowing equipment shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner to clear.
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Citizens must realize that efficient snow ploughing is hindered by:
ReplyDeleteon street parking,
lack to boulevards,
dead end streets,
cul de sacs,
shovelling snow onto the road.
The issue of snow ploughing is "at best" an election promise.
If you are serious about having the snow ploughed:
Park your car off of the street
Shovel the snow on the sidewalks onto your property.
Be prepared to shovel the windrows of snow from ploughing off of the sidewalks and onto your property.
Expect dead grass along the side walks from the salt used on the street.
Be prepared to rake sand and gravel from your lawn, from sanding the street.
There are alternatives:
Suffer through the snow on the street
Have the city plough the windrows down the middle of the road.
Learn to drive or stay home
As to the 30 cm, growing up I was expected to shovel all of the windrows, from the driveway sometimes up to 100 cm high.
Why cant the city do the same thing as they do for spring clean up of our roads. (in communities) Post signs on designated streets that are going to be plowed the next day. If residents dont move their vehciles off the street then they will have to suffer the consequences( dig their way out from the curb) That way they have the warning and we get the community streets cleared of snow.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cindy - signs would help a lot. I spent over an hour clearing snow from the road onto the grass verge to park my car, as well as a trench to walk from my house to the car. When I came home from work the next day, I found that the city had shoved the street's plowed snow into my cleared area because cars had been left on the street by our neighbour and a non-resident (who, annoyingly, parks next to our house every morning!). I was not happy and it's turned to ice so I have no hope of re-removing it myself. Had registered a complaint to the City but it seems the call ticket was closed without them doing anything about it...just hope I don't break my leg sometime over the next 6 months when I'm carrying bags over the icy mounds they left!
ReplyDeleteMy residential street has been Plowed at least 4 times when there was no need to plow it. I have had to shovel huge windrows a few times and had to reshovel my sidewalk and part of my driveway after the plow went by. There is no reason to plow the streets this many times, what an incredible waste of taxpayers money, the roads were just fine. I cant believe how inept this city is when it comes to winter.
ReplyDeleteI have also had my street plowed 4 times when there was absolutely no need for it.
ReplyDeleteThe City has once again OVER reacted to complaints that were raised last year when huge snow drifts isolated some communities. They are now plowing everytime a few snowflakes fall. There is NO NEED for this and once again the City has completely misunderstood our concerns.
What a waste of money ... it's either black or white when it comes to the city.
I agree with Anon 8:57am.
ReplyDeletePlows have been down my street several times this winter... and all it did was leave a shiny glare of snow/ice, about 2-3 inches deep on the road... essentially leaving the road worse than it was before the plow came by... the blade wasn't even close to the road, and all-in-all, was a waste of time and money...