UPDATE: December 20th, 2022
The Town of Orangeville is amending a bylaw to install and enforce one side of the road parking on local streets throughout Orangeville beginning in January 2023.
To allow residents time to adapt and learn about the changes, tickets will not be issued for violations until Spring 2023.
WHY THE CHANGES?
Limiting parking to one side of the road will help facilitate two-way traffic at all times, as well as improve access for larger vehicles. It will also improve access for emergency vehicles and winter maintenance equipment.
HOW DID THE TOWN DETERMINE WHICH SIDE TO LIMIT?
The decision was based on which side of the street the fire hydrants are located on. By keeping vehicles from parking on that side, firefighters will always be able to have safe and easy access to hydrants in the case of a fire.
WILL THIS AFFECT ALL STREETS?
It will be predominantly local streets impacted by the changes. Collectors and arterial roads were reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Several key areas throughout town will see no changes:
• Central Business District
• Mill Street between Broadway and Armstrong
• Young Court East of the entrance feature
• Any areas where parking is already restricted on both sides of the street – these restrictions will remain in place.
Limiting parking to one side of the road will help increase safety for residents and drivers alike.
Along with allowing emergency vehicles to navigate more easily when responding to calls, two-way traffic becomes easier to facilitate.
Find out more at https://t.co/SPSVwoqqJn pic.twitter.com/L0gW3ZlvQc
— Town of Orangeville (@orangevilleont) December 20, 2022
ORIGINAL STORY:
Residents may have noticed bagged signs along many residential streets that currently allow parking on both sides.
The signs are being installed as the Town of Orangeville prepares to implement the one-sided parking bylaw, which will limit parking to just one side on most streets in town.
The upcoming bylaw was passed by the previous term of council for many reasons, including providing easier access for emergency vehicles to pass through streets when responding to a call.
“One of the biggest benefits to this change will be the increased safety aspects it will create on the Town of Orangeville’s residential streets,” explained Tim Kocialek, General Manager Infrastructure Services.
“In the past, we have seen situations where emergency services vehicles have been unable to get down streets where vehicles are parked on both sides. In many residential areas, it also leads to safety issues and difficulty for residents maneuvering through packed streets.”
One-sided parking will come into effect on January 3, with a phased-in approach to allow the community time to adjust and the Town of Orangeville to ensure residents are aware of the changes.
Tickets will not be issued until Spring 2023, however we encourage the public to begin following the regulations as of January 3.
When the bylaw comes into effect, parking will be restricted on the side of the streets where the fire hydrants are situated. This is to ensure fire trucks are able to safely and easily access hydrants when responding to a fire.
Several areas, such as Broadway, will not be affected by the changes.
The winter parking restrictions also remain in effect between December 1 – March 31.
Residents will receive a letter in the mail with more information about the bylaw, as well as information posted on the Town’s website and social media channels in the coming weeks.
Visit orangeville.ca/onesidedparking for more information.