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New warning about snow ridge problem

A photo taken by Barrhead County resident Peter Nesterchuk appears to highlight the potential danger of careless snow clearing. The picture shows icy ridges on the road. “It’s a big problem for drivers,” said Nesterchuk, who lives in Bloomsbury.
Drivers beware! Peter Nesterchuk took this photo that shows the problem of snow forming icy ridges on rural roads in Barrhead.
Drivers beware! Peter Nesterchuk took this photo that shows the problem of snow forming icy ridges on rural roads in Barrhead.

A photo taken by Barrhead County resident Peter Nesterchuk appears to highlight the potential danger of careless snow clearing. The picture shows icy ridges on the road.

“It’s a big problem for drivers,” said Nesterchuk, who lives in Bloomsbury. “You could hit one of these ridges and land in a ditch.”

Nesterchuck said his wife, Judy, had struck a ridge. Fortunately, she escaped unscathed.

The problem of inadequate snow clearing was raised recently by Barrhead County Council. Concern was voiced about people pushing snow from their driveways, across the road and into a ditch.

Reeve Bill Lee said snow left on the road formed cement-hard ridges, which posed a potential danger to drivers and could damage vehicles.

Public Works Supt. Cal Fischer said the problem arose when property owners failed to clear snow from the road. In icy conditions, the snow turned into ridges and posed a safety issue.

County Manager Mark Oberg said the problem was an ongoing one.

“Our message is people shouldn’t sweep it across the road,” he said. “Some people are diligent about trying to remove it all, but if it is left there it can make for some risky situations.”

Typically, the speed limit on a lot of the County roads was 80k, he said. A motorist travelling at that speed could be in danger if his vehicle struck a ridge.

Echoing Lee and Fischer, Oberg said residents should keep snow to the side of the road.

Nesterchuk said householders used tractors to push snow from driveways.

Last Monday, Barrhead RCMP’s Sgt. Bob Dodds said research indicated that the Traffic Safety Act did not govern the problem of icy ridges on roads.

He wondered whether a bylaw could be considered for tackling the problem.

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