As heavy snow blankets Richmond Hill, drivers face treacherous, slippery roads, yet can often count on huge snow plowers operated by the City to clear a path. However, those who brave the sidewalks on their way to work are finding that the winter clearance schedule might be leaving them in the cold.

During this recent snow day, the City’s fleet of road-clearing machines was seen busily pushing large amounts of snow off the streets, offering relief to motorists and commuters reliant on their vehicles. But residents who walk to work report a different story. Several locals noted that the very machines responsible for clearing roads are inadvertently piling snow onto sidewalks, making pedestrian travel even more challenging.

“We’ve had several complaints from residents that after the road plowing, the sidewalks are left with deep mounds of snow,” said a resident, who preferred not to be named. “It feels like the focus is solely on the roads, and the walkers are forgotten.”

In an effort to address these concerns, we reached out to Access Richmond Hill—a dedicated service where residents can report issues with roads and sidewalks. A representative from the organization, signing his email as Kevin, provided some insight into the City’s snow clearing timeline.

“Sidewalk plowing has commenced and will continue throughout the day. Anticipated completion is 14 hours once the snow has ended,” Kevin wrote. When asked about the roads and streets, he added, “Once the snow stops falling, City staff aim to clear windrows in 13 hours, 14 hours for sidewalks, 16 hours for roads, and 24 hours for wide bends, dead ends, and cul-de-sacs.”

Kevin’s explanation suggests that while the City’s snow removal plan treats sidewalks and roads with similar urgency, feedback from the community indicates that sidewalks have not always been considered a priority. Residents argue that when road-clearing machines push snow onto sidewalks, the delay in clearing these pedestrian pathways creates an additional barrier for those who do not drive.

Local commuters who are daily walkers expressed their frustration: “It’s disheartening to see that while drivers get relatively clear roads quickly, we end up with piled-up snow on the sidewalks. It makes getting to work a real struggle.”

City officials have stated that snow removal operations are a complex undertaking, requiring a balance between the needs of all commuters. However, with mixed feedback from residents, many are calling for a review of the current procedures to ensure that sidewalk clearing receives the attention it deserves.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to report any issues with road or sidewalk clearing to Access Richmond Hill so that City staff can prioritize and address these concerns more effectively. As Richmond Hill continues to battle winter’s challenges, the hope remains that future snow days will see a more coordinated effort to keep all paths clear for every commuter.