MONCTON, NB – More than 50 granite blocks, also known as bollards, along sidewalks in downtown Moncton will soon be removed.

At a cost of more than $12,000, city council has decided to remove the blocks and re-purpose them in parks or as part of public art.

The city engineering department says the blocks will impede snow clearing operations especially since on-street parking is now available downtown.

The granite blocks were installed a number of years ago to improve the aesthetic look of downtown.