whoopee

[Helen M]

Originally Posted by dolittle

You aren't meant to clear the paths any more due to the compensation era we live in now where you would be liable if any one slips up on areas you cleared. Apparently you are making a dangerous area more dangerous.

That's a complete myth. You'd have to do something stupid and use hot water to 'clear' the snow and it instead makes black ice and in that case you are making it more dangerous. Whereas if you use grit and clear the path properly then you are making it more safe so no one could reasonably blame you for doing so.

Just sounds like something someone has made up and spread around so they don't feel obliged to clear the pavement etc.

Helen xx

[tabact]

Originally Posted by dolittle

You aren't meant to clear the paths any more due to the compensation era we live in now where you would be liable if any one slips up on areas you cleared. Apparently you are making a dangerous area more dangerous.

The official government line is you won't be liable.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868

The problem with clearing paths is unless you get it completely clear you normally just make things more slippery. We've had hardly any snow in the Chilterns but the pavements were lethal with just a thin layer of ice. When we finally got an inch of snow it was much safer because fresh snow gives you grip. I knew my street was bad when I pulled up in the car and started sliding sideways down the camber. The big complaint round my way is the lack of grit bins so you could help grit the side streets.

[dolittle]

Originally Posted by Helen M

That's a complete myth. You'd have to do something stupid and use hot water to 'clear' the snow and it instead makes black ice and in that case you are making it more dangerous. Whereas if you use grit and clear the path properly then you are making it more safe so no one could reasonably blame you for doing so.

Just sounds like something someone has made up and spread around so they don't feel obliged to clear the pavement etc.

Helen xx

From what I've read and heard is that if you clear snow/ice from an area that you are not liable for ie public path outside your house than you take responsibility for that if someone hurts themselves because you have changed the situation/ surface. If someone fell before you cleared than whoever owned the land would be responsible but not if you did something to change it. You may have also built up another area with the snow that you moved causing someone to trip. I think it's stupid as you are trying to help but people will sue for anything today.

[Helen M]

I just haven't heard a case of someone being successfully sued for clearing a path. I would have thought the tabloids would be all over it, if that was the case...

Helen xx

[dolittle]

I dont think it matters if it's successful or not just the stress of it all even if it gets thrown out which most do. And there's more important things for the news to report like devil dogs, cheryl Coles new single and x factor........ Lol

[Alan1]

had to laugh at this bit..

Road gritting and snow clearance by your council
Your local council will add grit to roads and pavements in your area and clear snow in winter. For information about where and when your council is gritting local roads, check its website

day 11 and they've never been yet