Hamilton issues reminder to clear sidewalks as snow, complaints pile up

The City of Hamilton is reminding residents of their responsibility to clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow event.

But many are still struggling to get around and the city is getting hundreds of complaints.

Many in Hamilton are still struggling to get around after a snowstorm nearly two weeks ago.

The city says it has received hundreds of complaints for snow not being cleared and in many cases it’s up to residents to clear the sidewalks, but it appears not everyone is getting the message.

It can be a struggle to get around, whether you’re on Cumberland Ave near Gage Park, on Bay Street in the city’s north end, or on the mountain near Mohawk College.

Not all sidewalks are cleared from the snow quickly enough and if they are some still have ice.

“It’s almost impossible,” said disability advocate James Kemp. “You have to pick and navigate clear paths, you often end up back-tracking. Even when residents do clear the side walks, normally the sidewalk transitions on the corners have been windrowed in.”

“People need to be more diligent so that it’s safe for everybody,” said disability advocate Anthony Frisina. “I’m a person with a disability that gets around in a wheelchair and I found it very challenging this winter.”

READ MORE: Cold, blowing snow weather warnings issued for Halton, Hamilton and Niagara regions

The City of Hamilton’s snow and ice bylaw requires property owners or occupants to clear snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of a snow event, including sidewalks adjacent to their property and roofs that overhang a city sidewalk.

Brian McCauley is a resident who not only shoveled his property, but the two on either side.

“Oh, just shovelling my neighbours — you do the walk, you just have to push it — it’s not too bad today,” said McCauley.

But not everybody is following the bylaw, as the city says it has received over 280 complaints from the public regarding sidewalks not cleared.

“So when we get a complaint, if an individual has not shovelled their sidewalk or cleared their roof that overhangs the sidewalk, an officer will go out 24 hours after a snow fall,” said Hamilton’s director of licensing and bylaw services Dan Smith. “If they are not cleared, an order will be issued. Following that, a city contractor will go in to clear the snow.”

Then the owners would be responsible for that cost and possibly receive a fine of $400, so the city says to shovel, to avoid a possible fine.

The city does clear sidewalks in some areas, including the front of municipal buildings and schools, as well as sidewalks in Ancaster, and city staff says if you’re unable to clear the sidewalks in front of your home, reach out to a friend, a family member or a neighbour.

READ MORE: Sidewalk clearing after Toronto snowstorm needs to improve, city officials say