Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has given first reading to expand its Truck Parking Bylaw.

Reeve Stan Toews says it is currently illegal to park a large truck overnight on a residential street within the Local Urban Districts of Grunthal, Mitchell or Blumenort. Council has decided it would like to change that bylaw, to include New Bothwell and Kleefeld, and also the rural residential areas.

“You can’t just leave (the truck) in the street for your convenience,” says Toews. “They have to be pulled into your driveway.”

According to the Reeve, this happens a fair bit in Hanover, which is why Council is moving towards making this all-inclusive.

“(Drivers) also park on streets that were never meant to be parked on with their big trailers,” he says.

Council is expected to give final reading to this bylaw at its June 10th meeting.

It will prohibit street parking for trucks that have a registered GVW of at least 10,000 kilograms. It will also prohibit trailers from parking on streets, unless attached to a motor vehicle of which the combination of the trailer and motor vehicle registered GVW is less than 10,000 kilograms. It will also prohibit motor homes from parking on a Residential Street/Rural Residential roadway for a period of time longer that two hours; but does not apply to trucks or trailers parked for use by a tradesman working on premises in the immediate area.

Those caught in non-compliance could face a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.