Regina plows ahead with 'snow routes' to clear streets after winter storms

Regina is poised to implement a new program to deal with major snowfalls.

City officials are recommending a snow route program with temporary parking bans on key roads to clear streets quickly and efficiently.

• As Regina prepares to plow, parked cars remain a problem

According to a report submitted to members of city council, to be considered at a meeting Thursday, the city could start the program with a test run during the winter of 2017-2018.

Under a snow route program, the city would identify key streets where parking would not be allowed following a major snowfall. The streets would have signs indicating that, after a parking ban is declared, vehicles found on the route would be ticketed and towed away.

It is estimated that the program would result in a total of 15 to 20 days when parking would be unavailable on a snow route.

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Officials said details of the program still need to be developed, including which streets to designate and how much warning citizens should receive about a parking ban (a background document on the issue noted that, during a public consultation, most people favoured at least a 24-hour notice period).

Communication is key

The report noted other cities have been using similar snow routes programs with some success and some ongoing challenges.

"Snow route programs [in other municipalities] are constantly being improved," the report noted. "Communication to the public is key to the success of the program."

The report identified the following areas where other cities are struggling:

• Communication to the public, about parking bans, is time-consuming and expensive.
• Because it is difficult to predict a storm's end, there is often confusion and frustration about the timing of a parking ban.
• Mustering towing resources to respond quickly to a parking ban is difficult.
• It is difficult to give residents exact location information for moved vehicles.
• Moved vehicles may displace parking on nearby streets.
• Residents are unhappy with ticket fines and towing costs.

The report did not provide any estimate on how much the program would cost. Officials said they will provide more detailed information before the end of 2016.