Pilot Windrow Removal Program

Following a Council motion, the City of Peterborough is exploring a Pilot Windrow Removal Program to help reduce barriers created by windrows at the end of driveways in winter.

We want to hear directly from residents about demand, priorities, and what would make a pilot program workable and fair.

During winter maintenance, City plows clear the road and may leave a ridge of snow at the end of driveways. That ridge is called a windrow. For many older adults and people with disabilities, the windrow can be heavy and difficult to remove—especially after repeated snow events.

A Windrow Removal Program is a service designed to help eligible residents by clearing the windrow portion at the end of the driveway after City plows have passed. The goal is to support safety, accessibility, and aging at home, especially for residents who may not have reliable help for winter snow clearing.

This proposed pilot would:

• Focus on windrow clearing only (the snow ridge at the end of the driveway)
• Be intended for eligible seniors and people with disabilities (details to be confirmed through the pilot design)
• Include a fee to help offset costs
• Operate as a limited-capacity pilot, so we can test the service and learn what works best for the community

Next steps

Here’s how we expect the pilot planning to move forward:

1. Collect community feedback through the survey and stakeholder input
2. Design the pilot program, including proposed:
   • Eligibility approach
   • Service boundaries (what is and isn’t included)
   • Fee structure
   • Capacity/number of participants
   • Service standards and timing after plowing
3. Report back to Council on findings and recommended pilot design
4. If approved, launch registration for the pilot in the fall of 2026, with clear instructions and timelines
5. Run the pilot for a winter season and evaluate results (uptake, satisfaction, operations, cost)
6. Share results publicly and consider adjustments or expansion as part of a Spring 2027 report.