The Township of Brock is responsible for plowing, sanding and salting all roads and bridges following winter weather events.
If a road has not been cleared, you can contact us and we can help.
Significant Weather Event
As per the Ontario Municipal Act, and O.Reg. 239/02 a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecast or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways in which they have authority. This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives.
Declarations may be the result of:
• Significant snow accumulation during a 24-hour period
• High winds leading to blowing snow and large snow drifts
• Freezing temperatures and ice formation that occurs without warning from the weather forecast
During significant weather events, roads and sidewalks are deemed in a state of repair until the declaration has ended. This does not mean a reduced level of service or a road closure this is simply to notify the public that caution is to be observed due to inclement weather and that it may take longer than usual to bring the conditions of the roads back to a state of repair.
For further information on the declaration of significant weather events follow the link below :
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/020239
Sidewalk Maintenance
We clear designated sidewalks in urban areas of the Township. This includes snow removal and salting. We prioritize sidewalks in the commercial core of urban areas as well as routes to local public schools.
My Mailbox was Damaged by the Snowplow
We will replace mailboxes that are damaged by a direct hit from the snowplow. Please report the issue and we will inspect the damage. If your mailbox was damaged by snow from the plow, we will not replace the mailbox.
Windrow
Windrows are the result from snow clearing operations and are understandably frustrating but unfortunately unavoidable. Similar to neighboring municipalities, windrow clearing is not a service that the Township of Brock provides.
| Windrow FAQ |
| The Township of Brock provides essential snow clearing services before, during and after a snowfall, including maintaining roads, sidewalks, trails, emergency access roads, parking lots and school crossings.
It is important for home/property owners to understand their responsibilities versus Brock responsibilities. Windrow clearing is the responsibility of the home/property owner. What is a windrow A windrow is the row of snow left at the bottom of a driveway after the snowplow has cleared the road. How are windrows formed and are they avoidable? Roadway snowplows are designed to move snow from the travelled portion of the road towards the right side of the road. As the snow is moved from left to right it is deposited in a long narrow pile along the right edge of the road, this pile of snow is commonly referred to as a “windrow”. Roads must be plowed in a manner that is efficient and timely to make them safe for road users. As a result, windrows will always occur when snow is plowed in this manner. Can the Operator just lift their plough to avoid putting snow in my driveway? Driveway windrows cannot be avoided by raising or lowering the front plow or side “wing” on the plow truck, doing this would leave snow deposited on the travelled portion of the road which is unsafe for road users. Why doesn’t the driver place the snow on the boulevard between my driveway and my neighbour's driveway? Roadway snowplows are large vehicles with limited maneuverability and are not able to place snow safely or efficiently in areas where space is limited and unsafe maneuvers such as, reversing or sharp turns are required. Additionally, roadway snowplow blades are wider than the space between many residential driveways. Why can't the plow carry all the snow up the street to an empty boulevard? Roadway snowplows are designed to efficiently move snow off the travelled portion of the road from left to right, attempting to move an entire street’s worth of snow to one area would require many passes and reversing, would be extremely inefficient, unsafe and would not totally eliminate windrows. I live on a corner, and I receive a bigger windrow than my neighbours who don’t live on the corner? Driveways located near intersections and wider areas where the road bends usually have slightly more snow left in front of houses because there is a larger area of roadway and more snow that needs to be cleared. |
CN Police want you to Stay Safe this Winter
Following these simple tips can help keep you safe when you encounter train tracks this winter:
Plan ahead and check the weather forecast before travelling—not only for your current location, but also for your final destination. If conditions deteriorate while you're on the road, stop at the nearest town or rest area and wait until it's safe to continue driving.
Reduce your speed when road conditions are poor. Always slow down well in advance of a railway crossing. The more time you have to react, the better chance you have of avoiding a collision.
Avoid distractions when approaching railway crossings turn off your radio and heating fans so you can listen for trains. Reduced visibility and sounds from a storm can make it more difficult to see and hear if a train is coming. Roll down your window—especially if it’s frosty or foggy—and look both ways before crossing the tracks.
Look for railway warning signs and signals snow may cover train tracks at a crossing, making them look like the road. Look for warning signs and other indications that there is a railway crossing ahead so you can prepare to stop, especially when driving at night.
Use winter tires they have treads designed to grip ice and snow, so you will be less likely to slide on the road or into the side of a train. All—season tires can begin to lose their traction when the temperature drops below 7°C.
Don’t drive impaired alcohol and drugs such as marijuana reduce your ability to pay attention, react quickly and make safe driving choices.