Some residents of a Bedford, N.S. neighbourhood are demanding answers as to why they haven’t seen a single snowplow since Wednesday’s massive storm.
Residents on Royal Fern Way say it’s not the first time the Halifax Regional Municipality has forgotten about them.
“We don’t even try to get out, no, there’s no sense,” says David Robinson. “You’ll get stuck. The only way to get out is with a snowplow.”
Robinson says he has taken eight vacation days this winter because of being trapped by the snow and resident Jennifer Benigno says she has had to do the same.
“Probably the second or third time this has happened, and basically I have to take a vacation day because there is no way to get out of the street,” says Benigno.
Tim Outhit, councillor for Bedford – Wentworth, says he has received many calls about the issue and that the slow cleanup is unacceptable.
“This area has not been served well, compared with the rest of the area, and I believe it’s the type of contract they have,” says Outhit.
The Halifax Regional Municipality says contracted crews are working as best they can within their 24-hour timeline.
“Ultimately, it’s a priority-two road. Our crews are out there, we’re plugging away,” says Darrin Natalino of HRM Winter Works. “We’re aiming to hit our service standard and hopefully we can.”
But people in the neighbourhood say they are tired of being snowed in and Outhit says the contract needs to be changed.
“I want this area to be managed by the contractor and the type of contracts and the supervisors that manage the rest of Bedford that have absolutely outstanding snow removal,” says Outhit.
Outhit says Dexter Construction has the contract for snow removal in the area. Calls to Dexter Construction were not returned.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Gena Holley
