Brampton residents petition over snow plow windrows blocking driveways
A petition in Brampton West has drawn thousands of signatures after city plows left large windrows that block driveways, raising safety concerns for seniors and caregivers.
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By Torontoer Staff
As the GTA braces for another major snowstorm, Brampton West resident Sanjay S. has launched an online petition after repeated incidents of snow ploughs leaving hard-packed windrows at the end of residential driveways. The petition had nearly 4,200 signatures at the time of publication.
Residents say the windrows are more than an inconvenience: they create accessibility and safety risks for seniors, caregivers and people with mobility challenges, and can block people from leaving their homes in an emergency.
What residents are reporting
A windrow is the dense wall of snow that accumulates when a road-clearing plough pushes snow off the roadway. In comments under the petition, caregivers and older residents described repeated pileups, sometimes occurring twice in the same day, and reported slips and falls while trying to clear the compacted snow.
We expect the city to clean the roads. All this money that we are paying to the government through property taxes, and they are putting it back into our driveway, it is quite frustrating.
Sanjay S., petition organiser
Sanjay says frustration stems from residents who keep sidewalks and driveways clear but find their efforts undone by the next pass from a plough. With rising living costs and property taxes, many signatories framed the issue as paying for a public service that ends up adding work to households.
City response and cost considerations
The City of Brampton acknowledges resident frustration but says expanding services to clear windrows would carry significant cost implications. Officials note that during recent consultations only 41 per cent of participating households supported an estimated annual property tax increase of about $92 to fund windrow clearing.
Since Dec. 1, 2025, the city recorded more than 5,000 snow-clearing service requests. During that time, 369 vehicles were towed and over 9,400 tickets were issued for obstructing snow-clearing operations, figures the city cites when explaining operational limits and the need to prioritise major roadways and emergency routes.
We understand the frustrations expressed by residents, however expanding windrow removal across the city would require additional funding and resources. Our priority during and after storms is to maintain major roadways and emergency routes while balancing affordability.
City of Brampton spokesperson
Help available for vulnerable residents
Brampton operates a Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program for eligible residents. The program offers grants up to $300 for non-corner lot properties and $400 for corner lots to help cover the cost of private snow-clearing services.
- Eligibility includes residents aged 65 and older and people living with disabilities, including homeowners and renters.
- Applications are intended to help those who cannot clear snow themselves and who face accessibility risks from windrows.
- Residents can also use the city’s 311 service to report issues or request information on available support.
Where the debate may go next
The petition and thousands of signatures add pressure on council to revisit service levels and funding. Any change to include windrow clearing citywide would require budget approval and a public appetite to absorb higher property taxes or reallocate existing resources.
For now, city officials say snow clearing can take up to 48 hours after snowfall ends as crews prioritise arterial and emergency routes. Residents and advocacy groups will likely use the budget process and local meetings to press for specific solutions for seniors and residents with mobility needs.
It is causing serious safety concerns. We pay property taxes for convenience, but this is making life more inconvenient.
Sanjay S., petition organiser
The debate highlights a broader trade-off: keeping primary streets passable quickly, or increasing spending to manage the last metre between the road and private property. With the storm approaching, the issue remains immediate for households facing blocked driveways and potential accessibility hazards.
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