ST. LOUIS • Mayor Francis Slay announced Thursday that crews had begun plowing side streets in response to heavy demands to clear them and criticism of the city’s snow removal policies.

Standing in the cold at Soldiers Memorial and flanked by staff, Slay said he ordered Streets Director Todd Waelterman to begin plowing all side streets at 1 p.m. Thursday and have the job finished before this morning’s rush hour — five days after a snow storm hit the city.

The city has never plowed side streets in the past.

“That policy has not served us well this time,” Slay said in a news conference. “A lot of our constituents have smaller, more efficient cars that are too light to get through a foot of snow. Too many people have been getting stuck on the side streets. Too many people can’t get off their streets. They’re angry. And I hear them.”

Slay has found himself in a tough situation since about a foot of snow fell Sunday and frigid air helped keep it there for days. Some residents complained about the city’s snow removal policy that leaves side streets untouched by plows.