City of Regina asking residents about banning parking for snow removal

The City of Regina is already thinking about its snow removal plans for next year.

Officials are hosting an open house this week inviting residents to give feedback on snow routes, and whether certainstreets should haveparking restrictions.

Snow routes are designated streetsin the city that wouldhave parking bans at specified times during the winter.

"The intention is to have the vehicles off the road whichmakes it faster more efficient for the snow ploughs to clear the roads as well as safer as they won't have to maneuver around vehicles," said Norman Kyle, the city's director of roadways and transportation.

Currently, snow plows move around parked cars, leaving snow ridges around vehicles.

Saskatoon already has a snow route program.

The first public engagement session will be held on this afternoon from 4:40 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Hall. A second meeting will be at Archbishop M.C. O'Neill High School on Thursday, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The city is alsoasking for residents' feedback through an online survey on its website.

If the Snow Routes program goes forward, the city parking restrictions on designated streets could range anywhere from 24 hours to overnight parking bans all winter long.

"I think ideally our snow removal crews would love to see it forNovember2016. Part of that is going to depend, council makes the ultimate decision on what we go ahead with," Kyle said.