How can members of the public help?
Last updated | 11/10/2011
If your pavement is gritted by a pavement snowplough,
please try to keep your wheelie bin out of its way so it can
get past.
Many people clear snow on the pavement in front of their
property. This can make a big contribution to making areas
safer for everyone, especially the elderly.
There are about 1,000 grit bins placed at hills, on corners
or at steps. Members of the public can use these to spread
salt on the road or pavement to melt snow or
ice. Grit bins are not for private use -
they are there to benefit the whole community.
Private occupiers should buy salt from DIY stores or builders
merchants for use on their own property.
Snowploughs are big and difficult to manoeuvre, especially
when it is slippery. When you park, make sure that
the snowplough can get past.
In severe winter weather, some vulnerable members of the community
find it difficult to get out and about and may appreciate
assistance that other, more able members of the community can
give.
Spells of very severe weather like the winter of 2010-11 can
stretch the snowclearing resources of the Council. If this
happens roads can become blocked and there may be periods when it
is impossible to travel even short distances on foot or by
road. People should not attempt to travel in these
conditions, and the Council needs the assistance and support of
members of the community in order to restore roads and pavements to
a safe condition.
There are often media stories about people being reluctant to
clear their pavement in case they become liable for any
injuries. This is a myth that has no basis in fact.
People taking reasonable care to look after the safety and
convenience of others bear no such liability. Members of the
community have a role to play in clearing snow adjacent to their
property.
