Radium Hot Springs is a year-round community, including winter weather that can hit hard.
To be ready for the upcoming winter – the Village’s Public Works department is readying its plows and snow and ice control equipment.
After starting with sidewalks last winter, this is the first year the Village will offer snow removal on its own. It is a new, and complicated, service and your patience while the crew learns and incorporates that learning is appreciated.
The Village is committed to offer municipal snow removal service that is on par with other communities of its size.
Here are some important things to remember this winter in Radium Hot Springs:
• In accordance with the Village’s Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy (found HERE), the Public Works Department makes every effort to clear all publicly owned roadways as soon as possible after a significant snowfall. As outlined in this new policy, snow removal operations will generally start at five centimetres of snow accumulation. Roads will be cleared in sequence of priority starting with the major routes in town, and sidewalks clearing will begin after priority roads are cleared.
Businesses which need a faster response in front of their property are encouraged to ready their shovels and ice melt – or contract this service from an independent contractor, licensed to work within the Village of Radium Hot Springs.
• Per the Village’s Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw, vehicles are only allowed to park in designated on-street parking spaces (areas established with curbs and gutters) from November 1 to April 30 each year. This is important and helps the Village maximize snow removal operations efficiently and effectively for everyone!
• Please make sure to give the plow operators lots of room and space. The machinery is large and they may not be able to easily see you.
• Pushing snow from your driveway onto the road is both dangerous and contrary to the Village’s bylaws. It may seem like no big deal, but it can quickly create a hazard for passing drivers, pedestrians, and equipment operators when that snow hardens into ice. Any snow removal you perform on your property should be piled on the property’s side of curb or sidewalk. It should be noted that some snow may fall into driveways as a normal part of Village snow clearing operations and, per Village policy, Village employees will not remove these windrows other than to maintain safe access at Village-owned properties.
• Please ensure that children do not play in snow berms or on snow piles along the roadways. Plow operators cannot see tunnels carved in the snow and they may not always be able to see children who are playing on snowbanks. Don’t forget that children can safely toboggan and play in the snow at Main Park from Radium Hot Springs Centre and running into the field below for winter fun!
Thank you in advance and here’s to a safe and fun winter season!
Questions, comments or concerns about snow removal? Contact the Village Office at 250.347.6455 or email village@radiumhotsprings.ca.
