I have a snow blower. Every time it snows, I clear the sidewalk for our property and better part of the block, five or six or more properties on either side, and help neighbours with their driveways. We blow all snow away from the road, clearing the snow on the road from the lefthand side to reduce the chance the plow will re-obstruct driveway entrances.
The plow comes past some time later at high rate of speed, fills the sidewalks again and adds a windrow of snow across the fronts of the driveways.
I have worked in public works and snow removal in Alberta and Ontario, and I know this is very poor practice and easily prevented.
Once residents have cleared their sidewalks, they’ve fulfilled their obligations under the bylaw. If the municipal workers are re-obstructing the sidewalk, at that point it’s not rightly a resident responsibility.
Additionally, the snow the plows are depositing at that point is wet and slushy and freeze solid and uneven, making removal difficult or impossible.
Also, the plows go up and down Westway Avenue at high speed, sparks flying from the blades. Side roads don’t get as much attention. Residents are out shovelling and motioning the drivers to slow down, but this doesn’t seem to help. Slower driving and more attention to the side streets would be a much better use of the snow removal resources and public funds, and a lot less wear and tear on the blades.
Please address this with the public works folks. This isn’t acceptable practice.
Al Price
Squamish
Editor’s note: Al Price noted he has received “positive response from all levels” since sending this letter to council earlier this week.
