Comments on: Time to stop vulnerable people being imprisoned in their homes – we need a community approach to clearing pavements http://sandy4stalbans.org/blog/2010/01/11/time-to-stop-vulnerable-people-being-imprisoned-in-their-homes-we-need-a-community-approach-to-clearing-pavements/ Sandy Walkington campaigns with the Liberal Democrats across St Albans Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:13:13 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: sandy http://sandy4stalbans.org/blog/2010/01/11/time-to-stop-vulnerable-people-being-imprisoned-in-their-homes-we-need-a-community-approach-to-clearing-pavements/comment-page-1/#comment-376 sandy Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:11:52 +0000 http://sandy4stalbans.org/blog/?p=1277#comment-376 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. 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.

]]> By: SAC_Commuter http://sandy4stalbans.org/blog/2010/01/11/time-to-stop-vulnerable-people-being-imprisoned-in-their-homes-we-need-a-community-approach-to-clearing-pavements/comment-page-1/#comment-375 SAC_Commuter Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:38:20 +0000 http://sandy4stalbans.org/blog/?p=1277#comment-375 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! 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!

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