I confess that any initial pleasure in the snow is now wearing off. And as I have already discovered today, last night’s slight thaw and then freeze signals more problems for local people trying to get to school, work and the shops.
My car made some interesting manoeuvres when exiting our side road, but it is people trying to walk on the pavements who are particularly at risk. I think we need a fundamental review of the relative priorities of pavements and footways versus roadways in ice and snow clearing.
This winter’s snow should not be seen as an aberration. Increasing climate extremes will be part and parcel of overall climate change. Just as the ‘once in five hundred years’ west country floods of a couple of years ago were repeated this year, we cannot assume it will be another thirty years before the next big winter freeze.
The Liberal Democrat opposition on Herts County Council has done a great job in highlighting the lack of overall preparation by Herts Highways. But we now need a wider discussion on whether we have the priorities right between roads and pavements.
Elderly people in particular have been prisoners in their own homes because they dare not set foot outside their front doors for fear of slipping over and breaking something. All of us have take our lives in our hands when we walk down the street – and in a hilly town like St Albans, ‘down’ is often the right word with sloping pavements making icy conditions yet more treacherous.
Yet the county council’s policy statement on ‘Winter Maintenance’ leaves footways as an afterthought – less than one hundred words tucked at the end of a 1500 word document. This ignores the fact that journeys start at people’s front gates.
It is clearly not plausible for the council to clear every footway itself. But I would like to see a summit meeting called by the county council (which has overall responsibility) to bring together local councils, local voluntary groups and other interested residents to explore mechanisms for community self help.
I can see a role for street wardens looking after street salt bins to which they could have a key if theft is a problem – either as volunteers or on a small retainer. The uniformed groups could play a part in their areas – again earning a modest contribution to their funds, when they come out to clear footways. And each and everyone of us could start from the presumption that we are responsible for the piece of pavement outside our home, provided that the county council provides the means.
In the meantime I applaud all the community minded people who have used their own initiative to help older neighbours by salting and gritting front paths. Also Oakwood School for getting a team of parents to clear the nearby pavements and make them safe.
None of this is rocket science. It’s not about letting the county council off. But it is how other countries manage much worse conditions by everyone working together. Not only would this release older and less able-bodied people from being imprisoned in their homes, it could be a brilliant mechanism for building community spirit.
Could not agree more. It’s a pity so many people got scared off from doing this when the public were told that if they did and someone slipped they could be sued. Well if someone will slip on a cleared pavement, they’d certainly have slipped on the ice rinks we’ve been enduring.
Speaking of ice rinks, it would be good if the pavements leading to the rail stations could have some priority with the council along with the roads, town centre and schools. I noticed the council announcing schools (amongst other things) would be a priority just as they were shut for the holidays, there were more children being taken to the station to get into London than were anywhere near a school!
There have been a number of comments on my facebook site where I posted a link to this – I thought they were worth reproducing here:
Jeremy Harding: There was an article on the BBC this lunchtime on this – it seems itś a canard – any judge would throw out such a case, the counsel advised.
Thank you Sandy – I agree the community needs to re-prioritise clearing the pavement. Provision of grit by the council for self-spreading ould be a great help.
3 hours ago ·
Sujata Marks: Here’s what our friendly city of Chicago snow ordinance says (paraphrased in the Chicago Tribune, Jan 7, 2010)! Although, I must say it is not strictly enforced…
“A Chicago law on the books for decades says owners or tenants of buildings must remove snow and ice from any walkway narrower than 5 feet within three hours of the snow falling.
The… See More Chicago Department of Transportation’s public-way inspectors post notes on businesses and residences where violations occur. Violators could be issued a $50 citation.”
John Manning: I quote from HCC’s Horizons magazine: “We would encourage you to clear the path infront of your houseif you are able, and if anyone injures themselves you will not be held responsible” Perhaps someone can check which county council officer is telling the truth
Nick Hollinghurst: The Lib Dem Group got a read-out from the County Secretary last year on “liability” and potential for “being sued” if, having made an attempt to clear snow, someone nevertheless slipped and was hurt. It’s mostly an urban myth – there’s no problem if you take reasonable care.