Clearing snow/ice from public places yourself
Staffordshire grits and clears more of our 5000km of roads than almost any other area… 43% coverage against a national average of 25%. But in a rural county as big as Staffordshire there are thousands of very minor roads and pavements it is impossible to cover.
For the first time last year the County Council established local arrangements to provide, free of charge, grit and advice to parish councils so they could decide what gritting enhancements they could provide using local knowledge. It was successful with greatly improved clearing and gritting at the micro level based on the most used very local public byways.
It’s about being neighbourly and mucking in to make the local community better!
There’s no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home and from public spaces. It is highly unlikely you would be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. As long as something silly isn’t done such as throwing water down to clear snow because that would most likely make the conditions worse. Follow the snow code below…
The Government have developed a simple snow code which if followed should avoid any chance of making any hazards from slipping worse –
Prevent slips
Pay extra attention to clear snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas.
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful – don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured.
Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
Clear the snow or ice early in the day
It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
Use salt or sand - not water
If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins - this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage.
If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
Take care where you move the snow
When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths
If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact the County Council Sfeguarding team on.
