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Residents, businesses responsible for clearing snow

Most Greater Victoria sidewalks must be cleared of snow by 10 a.m.
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Most sidewalks in downtown Victoria were clear of snow by 10 a.m. Monday morning. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Vancouver Island municipalities are reminding home and business owners to be diligent with snow removal.

The City of Victoria, which has more than 450 kilometres of sidewalks, says on its website that “a community effort is required to make sidewalks safe.” Under the city’s Streets and Traffic Bylaw, residents and businesses must remove ice and snow from sidewalks in front of their property by 10 a.m. every day.

The City also asks the public to use environmentally sensitive ice melt products and avoid rock salt.

READ ALSO: Snowstorm 2020: Here’s what you need to know to get around Greater Victoria today

The District of Saanich says its crews aim to clear priority routes, such as emergency access routes, major roads, priority bus routes, steep residential hills and priority sidewalks and bridges within 24 hours of snowfall. The District asks residents to park their cars in their driveways to avoid being ‘snowed in’ and to shovel snow to the right side of their driveways (when facing the road).

The District says currently, its crews are not equipped to clear snow from bike lanes.

ALSO READ: West Shore makes certain roads a priority for snow removal

The City of Langford reminds property owners it is their responsibility to clear snow from and ice from footpaths bordering their property before 10 a.m. the day after a large snowfall. The City asks anyone who is away from home to arrange for help in advance.

The Town of Sidney doesn’t specify a time that snow needs to be removed by but requests that residents remove snow from sidewalks in front of their dwellings.

Duncan bylaw enforcement will be pro-actively patrolling critical pedestrian corridors to ensure the safety and mobility of all citizens.

When it snows, residents and businesses in Duncan are responsible for: Removing snow and ice from sidewalks that border their property by 10:00 a.m. each morning, and, keeping snow and ice within the confines of their property (not on the street).

“Be a good neighbour! Please offer to help clear your neighbour’s sidewalks if they are away or have difficulty shoveling snow.”

Nanaimo property owners (residential and businesses) are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their property. The City clears sidewalks in front of City facilities, on bridges, the Waterfront Walkway and E & N Trail.

And in Courtenay:

  • Clear the way. Businesses are required to remove accumulated snow from downtown sidewalks bordering the property by noon. Residents are also encouraged to clear snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property
  • Move parked vehicles off the street. If you are able to move your car off the road, it will help our operators clear your street as quickly and efficiently as possible.
  • Reduce hazards. Do not shovel snow from sidewalks or driveways onto the roads as this creates a traffic hazard and interferes with drainage of melting snow.
  • Help us by clearing snow from storm drains and fire hydrants fronting your property. This will help drainage of melting snow and will ensure quick access to a hydrant in case of a fire.
  • Be a good neighbour. Clearing snow and ice from sidewalks can be a difficult task for our senior residents, or those with limited mobility. Please lend a helping hand to neighbours that may need assistance clearing snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks.

More snow is predicted for the Island’s eastern population centres Monday with a 60 per cent chance of flurries on Tuesday. Check your municipality’s website for more information on snow removal tips and bylaws.

READ ALSO: Sidney/North Saanich RCMP respond to two collisions, drivers doing doughnuts in the snow



nina.grossman@blackpress.ca

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