Should I salt the pavements?

[zazen999]

Re bridges - it's the bearings that tend to be the problem there

No, it's the chlorides that rot the reinforcement I was on about......

[HeyWayne]

No, it's the chlorides that rot the reinforcement I was on about......

Which is why I "Shhhhhh-ed" earlier.

Now, shhhhh!

[zazen999]

Which is why I "Shhhhhh-ed" earlier.

Now, shhhhh!

Sorry......also, don't drive on the M2* bridge across the ******; I know the blokes who did the testing and....well, I can't say but just don't do it.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Someone told me a nasty story about the tension cables on the Forth Road Bridge...just as we were driving over it!!! Thanks!!!

[sweetiepea]

The debate between using salt, sand and grit are all very fine, but what do you do when you haven't got, and can't get out to get, any?!?!?

[Alison]

The debate between using salt, sand and grit are all very fine, but what do you do when you haven't got, and can't get out to get, any?!?!?

Stay in?

[HeyWayne]

Stay in?

and just make do with vinegar.

[Alison]

and just make do with vinegar.

Does that clear the ice too? Has visions of pickles all over the pavement

[Two_Sheds]

It'd be interesting to see how many peeps have a good thick tread on their shoes/boots. I'm sure flimsy soled shoes can't help!

I've been wearing my hiking boots, but they're useless on ice. OK for snow until the treads get full up and compacted

[Madasafish]

I wear running shoes and run in this. The treads are rubber ridges running in swirls so they face all directions. Grip is great.. I have slid a couple of times on ice this winter .. but a quick pirouette and twirl and progress continues...
Adidas Supernova Riot GORETEX running shoes

I also wear Clarke's Goretex shoes for walking with a distinctibe tread: great in snow..see

Rock Force GTX-M Casual Shoes-Clarks

(for the tread pattern .. my shoes are now discontinued and a shoe.. not a boot)


My view is the secret of good grip is a relatively sharp shoes pattern which bites and holds on slippery surfaces.

PS I buy shoes when they are just discontinued lines so don't pay the fancy prices shown... think 40% off or more.

[Two_Sheds]

Perhaps our ice is more slippery than yours then, because I have 3 pairs of running shoes (Asics) and 2 pairs of good hiking boots, and none of them grip on the ice.

[Two_Sheds]

buy a pair of ice-cleats/snow grips to put over your shoes.

I've been researching those Sarz, but can't find a decent one in my price range. Some of them are £20 and the reviews are awful: "fall apart after 2 wears".

These seem to be the most recommended, but I'm also thinking I could screw a couple of things into my oldest hiking boots. I bet Snadger could/would.

[RedThorn]

If mentioned sorry I missed it but someone on here mentioned using a pair of thick socks over the shoes....

As to the gritting? sorry state of affairs that if you clear yours, you can be held liable if someone slips... so so wrong!

[HeyWayne]

Want to borrow Bean TS?

I find being 18st (or thereabouts) with size 12 boots and a buggy help no end when out walking. I haven't slipped once and I've walked on ice that looks like glass.

[Two_Sheds]

Its a tricky one, because if you salt the pavement and someone slips on it, I think you can be held liable for damages.

I've been told that before, and have been looking for fact, not heresay, to back it up, and this is the nearest I've got:

Lord Davies said: "No householder is at all responsible, providing they do not touch the pavement, which is owned by the local authority." BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | Clearing snow 'can get you sued'

So, I can salt my own path, but not the public pavements.

Surely this silly law is encouraging me to go out and break an ankle to sue the council? Where's the common sense gone?