BackIce warning: Councils urged to take action
Living Streets is today urging councils to use volunteer ice wardens to keep communities moving amidst reports of snowfall and icy weather.
With snow already falling in some parts of the country and more forecast for the rest of the week, Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians is calling for local authorities to mobilise community volunteers for pavement gritting to avoid the estimated 7,000 snow and ice related hospital admissions.
Snow and ice cause problems across the country each winter, but whilst roads are routinely gritted, pavements are often neglected, turning them into dangerous ice rinks for anyone on foot.
Icy pavements cause problems for anyone who wants to walk to the shops, to work, or even to the local bus stop. But if you’re older, disabled or have a pushchair, these dangerous conditions make it almost impossible to venture outdoors.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said:
“Living Streets don’t want a repeat of last year where grit ran out and the pavements were neglected whilst roads took the priority. We are issuing an ice warning to local authorities to take the needs of people on foot seriously.
“We want to see local authorities sign a winter contract with their community to work together so no one is isolated or vulnerable because of the weather. This contract should include gritting, co-ordinating volunteer ice wardens to keep communities moving, and re-deploying council staff who are unable to do their usual jobs in the icy weather.
“Last winter, we were shocked to hear a number of stories from older people who did not leave their house for days for fear of slipping on the ice, and the numbers of snow and ice related injuries recorded by the NHS.”
Local authorities and community members can download the Winter Contract at www.livingstreets.org.uk/wintercontract
Notes to editors
For case studies, photographs or any other media enquiries please contact Anna Powell on 020 7377 4914 or email anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk. For any out of office hours enquiries, please call 07545 209865.
Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we campaign to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.
As part of our Ice Free Pavements campaign, we are calling for local authorities to agree a winter contract with communities, committing to:
- Ensure that they have a severe weather plan in place which includes pedestrians’ needs
- Routinely grit walking journeys to essential services, particularly considering the most vulnerable such as children and older people
- Have a list of volunteers who can be activated by email to help clear streets and alert the local public to help
- Re-deploy Council staff / contractors to help clear pavements where they are unable to carry out their work because of the weather
- Provide grit bins in communities and keep them stocked so neighbours can support each other.
Published on: 24/11/2010
