Should I salt the pavements?

[Pumpkin Becki]

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?

I agree TS, there's no logic involved.

[Two_Sheds]

Gritting public car parks etc

we tried to get some grit for our car park/loading area (work) and couldn't get any. Even tried the Highways Agency.

"shops, offices, car parks and similar places have an obligation to take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances (inc. snow/ice) for the safety of visitors.

For example, a station car park (or a Tesco car park?) is a place to which drivers are "invited" as are rail passengers and leaving it un-gritted on an icy night is a breach of the duty of the station owner or controller under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957...it does require the people occupying the premises to: take account of weather forecasts to have salt in stock; to clear a safe path through the snow" http://www.theclaimsconnection.co.uk...ng-on-ice.html

My italics.

[mrdinkle]

What about shared access? A lot of terraces have a shared path at the rear - who is liable then?

[Two_Sheds]

Sorry to labour the point, I'm just trying to find the actual law to back up what may be simply an urban myth.

it may be risky for private individuals to clear (public pavements)... if someone is injured, you will be liable for negligence or nuisance.

On your own land, it is a different matter. You owe visitors a duty under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 to take reasonable care to ensure that they are reasonably safe.
This means that if you know someone (such as the postman) is likely to walk up your garden path, and you also know that the garden path is slippery, you must take reasonable steps to clear the path of snow and grit it if necessary.

so says Mark Loveday, a barrister at Tanfield Chambers Brief encounter: clearing the snow - Times Online

[Alison]

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.

Some of it is just a balance thing also, I'm hopeless and lack confidence in slippy conditions - always did as a kid and as a result have always avoided going skiiing etc. OH however is like a goat on all surfaces (actually not sure that works as am not sure goats are good on ice but you know what I mean) and never seems to slip, slide, fall or whatever regardless of footwear.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Sorry to labour the point, I'm just trying to find the actual law to back up what may be simply an urban myth.

I think your full post explains it beautifully. Thank you for looking into it for us.

[HeyWayne]

Some of it is just a balance thing also, I'm hopeless and lack confidence in slippy conditions - always did as a kid and as a result have always avoided going skiiing etc. OH however is like a goat on all surfaces (actually not sure that works as am not sure goats are good on ice but you know what I mean) and never seems to slip, slide, fall or whatever regardless of footwear.

My quads were killing me afterwards I must admit.

[Alison]

My quads were killing me afterwards I must admit.

But just think how good you'll look in shorts come the summer

[HeyWayne]

But just think how good you'll look in shorts come the summer

3/4 Lengths is as far as I go!

[Two_Sheds]

Right, I've done it. I screwed half a dozen 1cm screws onto the soles of my hiking boots (made little pilot holes first).

It really works - I've just been out for a spin on the icy pavements, and no slipping, sliding whatsoever.

The real test will be the 5 mile return walk to school in the morning: I best take the screwdriver and spare screws with me, I don't know how long they'll last once I hit concrete.

[FionaH]

Thanks for clarifying that TS, my neighbors have right of access through my garden and the side path can be lethal despite my best efforts

Some of it is just a balance thing also, I'm hopeless and lack confidence in slippy conditions - always did as a kid and as a result have always avoided going skiing etc. OH however is like a goat on all surfaces (actually not sure that works as am not sure goats are good on ice but you know what I mean) and never seems to slip, slide, fall or whatever regardless of footwear.

I have never fancied skiing for the same reason. When I had to do steep hills on my pony I used to close my eyes and let her get on with it After reading your post I now have this silly vision of a sheep on skis

[HeyWayne]

Right, I've done it. I screwed half a dozen 1cm screws onto the soles of my hiking boots (made little pilot holes first).

It really works - I've just been out for a spin on the icy pavements, and no slipping, sliding whatsoever.

The real test will be the 5 mile return walk to school in the morning: I best take the screwdriver and spare screws with me, I don't know how long they'll last once I hit concrete.

Just stay off any polished floors or we'll have a raving spider monkey on our hands.

[rustylady]

I do hope the soles are thick enough to take the screws. The last thing you want is a hole in the bottom of your foot.

[Two_Sheds]

I do hope the soles are thick enough to take the screws. The last thing you want is a hole in the bottom of your foot.

Yeah, I measured.

[binley100]

I seem to remember Posties used to fix chains on their boots in icy weather.