News Release

Mayor urges Traffic Authority to give overnight parkers a break

(December 22, 2010) Halifax - Mayor Peter Kelly is calling on the Traffic Authority to show some Christmas spirit towards motorists who run afoul of the Winter Parking Ban.

“If there’s no snow over the holidays, I hope residents, visitors, shift workers and anyone else who has to park on the street overnight will get a break from being ticketed,” Mayor Kelly said Wednesday.

The Traffic Authority is appointed by HRM but operates at arm’s-length, answering to the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act. Its decisions are not open to appeal, even by Council.

This winter, the Authority has decreed no on-street parking in metro from December 15 to March 31, 2011, during the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. The Authority says the ban will allow crews to clear streets faster and safer. Owners who park on the street overnight face a $50 ticket which increases to $82.90 if not paid within 60 days.

Mayor Kelly said he has lobbied staff to employ a more flexible approach to overnight winter parking. In his opinion, and that of a growing number of frustrated residents, the mild weather makes an outright ban unwarranted.

“It causes great inconvenience and, in some cases, outright hardship to many people who don’t have a parking space, especially on the peninsula,” Mayor Kelly said.

The Mayor urged those who enforce the ban to use some leniency and common sense, particularly at this time of year.

“I believe the best present the Traffic Authority could possibly give residents is peace of mind, at least over the holidays,” Mayor Kelly stated.

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly

490-4010