Hamilton’s Ward 3 piloting snowstorm street parking program to improve winter service

The City of Hamilton is launching a pilot project this winter to improve the snow clearing ability on four narrow streets in Ward 3.

Part of the project would call for residents to move their vehicles parked on the street so plows can clear the snow after a major storm.

When it was initially proposed, city staff suggested banning on-street parking on the four streets in question, but council came up with a less aggressive plan.

Cleaning up Hamilton after a major winter storm can be a challenge, especially on some of the old narrow streets and boulevards.

While we’re getting more rain than snow so far this winter, the city is launching a pilot project to help clear the snow on Proctor, Barnsdale and St. Clair boulevards, as well as Roseland Avenue.

The project calls for residents to move their vehicles parked on those streets after a major winter storm to allow for plows to clear the snow.

“Not a ban, not a parking ban. When the road is cleared residents will be permitted to go back to parking on their neighbourhood street,” said Nrinder Nann, Ward 3 councillor.

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The streets in question are narrow, and the boulevards in the middle make it impossible for city plows to get down them if there are vehicles parked on the street.

“When those major snowstorms happen and they are declared, they will be in contact with the neighbours well in advance and let them know that they have this window to move their vehicle in order to facilitate that cleaning,” said Coun. Nann.

Residents CHCH News spoke with on Proctor and St. Clair boulevards say on-street parking is already limited in their area, so having to move their vehicles several blocks away would be a hassle.

“It would be massive. I have two small kids and I also run a cleaning business so I have a lot of gear to lug. But in addition, there are a lot of elderly people who live on the street. My neighbours have mobility issues and it would be next to impossible for them to navigate parking several blocks away,” said one resident living in the area.

What if some residents just don’t bother moving their cars? CHCH News asked that, and Coun. Nann said that will be part of the pilot project this winter and will help city staff work on a more permanent solution going forward.

To break it down, when there is a major snow storm, residents on those four streets will be given 24 hours notice of when a plow will be coming down their street. And as soon as the plow is done, their cars can be put back.

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