Icy pavements are not cool

With the cold and icy conditions upon us, Living Streets are asking people to contact their local councillors and urge the local councils make local pavements safe for everyone this winter.
 
Icy and snowy pavements are a danger to us all during the winter months.
Every winter, thousands of people in the UK are admitted to hospital after slipping on ice or snow. If you’re older, disabled or have a pushchair these ice-rink conditions can make it almost impossible to venture outdoors.

Ice-related falls are also expensive. In 2009/10 it is estimated that hospital admissions in England alone cost tax payers £42 million.    

It doesn’t have to be this way. Your council has a legal duty to keep pavements safe. Ask your council to fulfil its duty and sign up to the Living Streets ‘winter contract’ with local people committing to:

• clear pavements and paths serving key local destinations and give them at least the same priority as key roads in relevant plans and winter maintenance schedules

• send contractors unable to carry out their main jobs in bad weather to help clear icy pavements

• help residents do their bit by making sure grit is available, encouraging people to clear the street outside their property and helping organise volunteer teams of ‘snow wardens’.

Help make sure councils do their bit and keep pavements ice-free this winter.


PS if you receive a response by email from your council, please forward it to campaigns@livingstreets.org.uk

This will help them gauge how well councils are responding to demand for ice-free pavements.