The Editor,
I regularly use the sidewalk from Brunette Avenue through to Braid Street SkyTrain and with the recent snowfalls this has been impossible to navigate due to residents not clearing their sidewalks.
I have attempted to contact the city of Coquitlam multiple times to have this addressed and have run into numerous roadblocks. I was told that I would need to report each address that had not cleared their sidewalk and this in itself was challenging given that several of the properties are abandoned with no visible address.
Undeterred, I did manage to get addresses and I reported these to the city, but as of Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. nothing had been done to resolve this. There is one abandoned property across from Place Maillardville where the snow is at least 40 cm deep.
I have found it extremely challenging to navigate the sidewalk safely and on some sections I had to utilize the road (as I have seen many others do). I wonder how people with mobility issues feel about trying to get around.
The city bylaw requires residents to have their sidewalks cleared within 10 hours of a snowfall. Why is this not enforced?
I know if I were to park in a city lot with out purchasing a parking permit I would have a ticket on my vehicle within minutes. Why is this not happening for residents that do not clear their sidewalks?
Looking around Coquitlam, it is clear that their current bylaw with respect to snow removal is not working. It is time they address this in a way that ensures the safety of their residents.
Mario D’Angleo
Coquitlam
