Snow route parking ban warnings to be dropped in Calgary

Owners of vehicles parked on "snow routes" during heavy snowfalls will no longer get warnings they will get a ticket instead.

The change is part of an overhaul to the city's snow removal strategyannounced Thursday.

• Watch the video above for more from CBC's Bryan Labby on the changes expected this year for the city's snow removal program, including how it fits into the budget.

The city struggled last yearto keep up after more than 30 centimetres of snow fell in the first two weeks of December, so the city has drawn up a new extreme snow event plan.

The city is no longer handing out warnings to drivers who park in snow routes, said Calgary Parking Authority general managerWes Hogman.

"This year we are not going to be doing that. We're moving directly to into issuing tickets from the beginning," he said.

The ticket will cost $40 if it is paid within 10 days.

Snow routes are marked with signs and include most major roads and bus routes in Calgary. After a major snowfall, officials declare a parking ban so they can clear the streets.

Contractors on standby

Contractor crews will also be on standby in case city crewscan't get to residential roads within three or four days of a snowfall.

"One of the things we saw last year during major snowfall was our crews were doing the main commuter routes, meanwhile the residential and collector roads were literally backing up with snow," he said.

Ruts on residential streets will be knocked down to 12 centimetres, not tobare pavement. The snow won't be removed.