Forum Topic

THE BIG SOCIETY - and clearing your frontage of snow

I was most disappointed that more people in the Goldsmith area have not cleared their frontages.It took me 10 minutes maximum to sweep ours and put down salt.Come on the good residents of Acton please get your brooms out and help the blind and disabled to get down to the shops and about their business.Thank you.

Dee Cook ● 5768d15 Comments

Sotry about this Dee But I would have titled the thread Community Spirit,because this was discussed in parliament last winter before the election, before the Tory Big Society word started to buzz about on the current scale.But you are right in substance which is what counts.When it snows a lot I tend to sweep 100 metres. Warms me up.

George Knox ● 5768d

I did some - but you have to get out jolly early before the footsteps impact and compact the snow.

Sara Nathan ● 5768d

The BBC doesn't help. Yesterday I heard them repeating the (false I think) statement that people could be sued if someone slipped and fell on the cleared area.

Ian M Green ● 5768d

As we live in a flat we don't have a yard brush or a snow scraper thing.  If anybody in Birkbeck Grove could lend me them I would be happy to clear the snow.  Please PM or email me.My sister and her husband live in Calgary where they get many metres of snow each year.  They always clear the pavement outside their house and the pavement outside their elderly neighbour's house.  If they can do it for six months of the year we should be able to do it for two or three days.a

Andy Magee ● 5768d

well done to all.  The knack is to get out before the snow becomes compacted - and yes it does indeed warm you up.....and don't forget to feed and water our feathered friends......again, thanks.

Dee Cook ● 5768d

More snow Sunday according to my app.

Sara Nathan ● 5768d

Not according to the Beeb's website. Spot of rain only. Though Metcheck is talking early-morning snow.

Susan Kelly ● 5768d

Hope you are right.

Sara Nathan ● 5768d

Duh Susan....It's snowing now.So much for forecasts.Ho hum - had just sorted all the pathsShould one re-salt now?

Sara Nathan ● 5768d

From Direct.gov website....Don't worry, you won't sued  :)>There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Follow the snow code when clearing snow and ice safely.

Neil Owens ● 5768d

You could hardly categorise that as 'snow', Sara. A couple of flakes that were too light even to fall?

Susan Kelly ● 5768d

It does look as if the clouds are carrying snow. Will they drop it here? Dramatic music.

Susan Kelly ● 5768d

The direct.gov statement is not nearly strong enough.Saying that "it's unlikely you will be sued ... if you have cleared it carefully" is pathetic.

Ian M Green ● 5768d

Surely your defence would be that they were wearing inappropriate footwear and/or not looking where they were stepping. Unless you've poured boiling water which has frozen, how someone would have the chutzpah to accuse a householder who cleared the pavement rather than all those who haven't is a little beyond me. There's usually less snow and ice near walls, hedges and fences, so take advantage of that, and just walk a bit more carefully. Even the compacted stuff was easy to shift by cracking the ice with my heel and then brushing the loosened ice away.Similarly, people who try and drive with minimal effort to clear the windscreen and windows, crawling along trying desperately to see ahead. They may save a minute but could spend years regretting knocking someone over they just couldn't see.

Kevin Regan ● 5768d

I think the liability for swept frontages in one of those idiotic elf'n'safety or europhobia rumours which, like fake scams, sweep across us from time to time.the "Keep calm and carry on" mantra always seems sensible when faced with any of these.

Sara Nathan ● 5768d