- To provide information to the County Highways Team on the local situation during the period of severe weather conditions;
- To consult with the Area Teams on the local needs and determine jointly what local action to take , if necessary, to supplement the operation of the department. Priority will be given to busy footway areas and area outside shops and schools and steep areas agreed in advance;
- When conditions warrant it the Area Teams will sanction the treatment of agreed village / town footways from salt supplied from the existing grit bins or at agreed locations as highway resources allow;
- Any works undertaken will follow the suggested guidelines released in winter (2010) in the government Snow Code as highlighted below.
There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public space.
- are careful;
- use common sense to make sure that you don’t make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous that before.
People using area affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.
Tips and advice on clearing snow and ice:
- It’s much easier to clear fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it;
2. Don’t use hot water – this will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury;
3. Be a good neighbour – Some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths from their property;
4. If shovelling snow, think where you are going to put it so that it doesn’t block people’s paths or drainage channels;
5. make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on;
6. spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help stop ice forming – table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it;
7. pay particular care and attention to steps and steep gradients;
8. use the sun to your advantage – removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight;
9. use salt carefully only a small amount is required if there’s no salt available, sand or ash are good alternatives.
To Volunteer as a Snow Warden:
Please Write to:
Bryn Patefield
WarwickshireCountyHighways
OldBudbrooke Road
Budbrooke
Warwick
CV35 7DP
Or Email: brynpatefield@warwickshire.gov.uk
Please include; your name, full address, organisation details, telephone and e-mail details if available.