Winnipeg streets pile up with leaves after city cancels fall sweep

All those leaves and branches piling up in Winnipeg streets this fall won't be going anywhere until spring.

The City of Winnipeg cancelled the fall street sweeping program to save about $800,000.

Ken Fowler, who lives in River Heights,worries the mushy mess will clog drains and sewer pipes.

"These leaves are going to get wet, they are going to turn into a mass of leafy ice, which is only going to be more trouble to pick up," he said.

"There is going to be trouble in the spring thaw, and the leaves are going to clog up the drains. [Then] there is going to be significant property damage and who's going to be responsible for that?"

Yard waste collection delays

On another leaf-related note, city crews arebehind schedule in picking up yard waste put out by homeowners.

Adelayof one to two days is expected this weekdue to the large volume of waste being out out by Winnipeggers, the city stated in a news release.

Crewsare just finishing up last week's collectionin parts of St. Charles, Fort Garry, Fort Richmond and St. Vital, and may be working as late at 10 p.m. to get caught up.

People are advised to place their yard waste out on their regular collection day and to leave it out until it gets picked up.