West Sussex people urged to clear snow this winter

West Sussex County Council is urging residents to look at government-issued advice on keeping pavements clear of snow and ice.

Lionel Barnard, deputy leader of the council, who has responsibility for roads and transport, said: “I really welcome this clear advice from the government because the prospect of being sued was a major concern last winter for residents and communities who only wanted to help themselves during extreme conditions.

“I am anxious for this advice to be as widely publicised as possible, so that people know that they can help themselves so long as they use good, old fashioned common sense.”

The information has been published on the website www.direct.gov.uk and explains that during last winter’s extreme weather conditions, many people helped keep pavement and public spaces around their homes clear of snow.

It goes on: “However, many people were put off doing so because of fears of being sued.

“There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces.

“If an accident did happen, it would be highly unlikely you would be sued as long as you are careful, and use common sense to make sure you don’t make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before.”

A county council spokesman added that councillors would be reinforcing the advice across the county in the coming months.

“The county council will follow up the message with further advice to local communities on what should happen, in public areas like shopping streets and schools, as part of the actions promised at the snow summit held earlier this year to review how public services coped with the extreme conditions last winter.”

Earlier this month, the council also staged the annual Operation Snowflake, held at the county’s five highway depots to make sure gritting procedures were rehearsed and ready to be put into action.

“Gritting vehicles, snow ploughs and other equipment were tested and drivers briefed on the call-out procedures that are activated when cold weather hits,” he added.

“The county’s fleet of gritters also travelled across West Sussex on a ‘dry run’ to check the drivers were familiar with the routes they will be covering over the winter period.”

Government advice on path clearing included starting early, it being much easier to move fresh, loose snow, and not using hot water, as this could cause dangerous black ice.