Barrie council to update traffic bylaws as city continues to grow

Cars parked along Dunlop Street in Barrie, Ont. (CTV NEWS)

Barrie city council has approved a slew of changes to traffic bylaws, including more than a dozen updates, most of them focused on more detailed parking rules across the city.

Speaking to CTV News ahead of Wednesday’s council meeting, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said that as the city continues to grow, it’s important to carefully consider how people get around.

“It’s always important, number one, that people are able to get around the city, but even more important that they do it in a safe way,” Nuttall said.

“Our staff is always working, and our council is always working to try to make sure that we are identifying places that need tweaks in order to allow for safer vehicles, safer pedestrians, and safer bicycle traffic in the city.”

The mayor added that most people in Barrie rely on their vehicles to get around, making it essential to manage where cars are allowed to park as the city continues to expand.

The traffic bylaw regulates traffic in any area designed and intended for, or used by, the public.

In the current bylaw posted on the city’s website, parking is prohibited in locations where it may block sidewalks, intersections, driveways, pedestrian crossings, traffic flow, emergency access, railway safety zones, bridges, or where it creates a safety or access hazard.

To learn more about traffic bylaws and to see the full list of exemptions and prohibitions, click here.