Shellfish harvesters regularly flock to the northbound shoulder of Hwy. 19 in Nanoose Bay, however the B.C. Government is reviewing whether to intervene due to safety concerns (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

parking ban?

Potential Nanoose Bay highway parking ban under review

Jul 7, 2025 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — With increasing numbers of motorists parking along Hwy. 19 to access popular shellfish harvesting grounds, the B.C. government appears poised to act.

In response to safety-related complaints from roadside parking on the water side of Hwy. 19, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit states it’s reviewing what to do in the area known as Nanoose Flats.

“The ministry is considering measures to address concerns which would include preventing parking on the highway shoulder in this area; however, the ministry is still evaluating options such as specific locations, limits, signage placement and related measures,” the ministry statement to NanaimoNewsNOW read.

Some motorists park in close proximity to highway traffic. (Submitted photo)

At low tide, it’s not uncommon this time of year for as many as 100 vehicles to be parked on the water side of Hwy. 19 from the Rumming Rd. area to well past the Nanoose Rest Area.

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Several informal paths off the highway access the shoreline, just meters from busy multi-lane highway traffic with a 90 kilometere-an-hour speed limit.

“The ministry will be consulting with Nanoose First Nation and the Regional District of Nanaimo as a part of this work.”

The Ministry did not address how parking on the highway shoulder may be physically prevented, which specific areas could be impacted, or how it would be enforced.

It’s a real safety issue

Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Electoral Area E Director Bob Rogers told NanaimoNewsNOW the stretch of highway clearly needs to be addressed.

The RDN’s Nanoose Bay representative said several partners need to come together to mitigate the problems.

“It’s a real safety issue for the people that get out of their cars, they don’t always get out on the water side. It also needs some activity by the federal government through the DFO whether or not those people are doing legal fishing for the clams and oysters.”

Stating the Ministry of Transportation “needs to do something serious in conjunction with the RCMP”, Rogers said the Nanoose Harbour area is a regional destination, which sees many out of province license plates parked along the highway’s northbound shoulder.

He said 50 roadside motorists can represent a small number on weekends.

“There will be 20 in one area and then a gap, and then another 20 and then there will be another gap. In areas where it’s a bit wider there will be some more. It does need some proper signage and it needs proper enforcement.”

Rogers hopes the B.C. government meaningfully addresses what he calls a longstanding problem.

“The province has to decide whether they’re going to put the resources into it and follow through.”

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to Nanoose First Nation (Snaw’naw’as) for comment.

Electoral Area E Director Bob Rogers said the roadside parking issue on Hwy. 19 through Nanoose Bay presents ongoing safety issues. (Submitted photo)

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