Move to lift 'fog' over clearing snow laws

Many minor roads and pavements were left untreated at the height of last winter's big freeze as councils across the region used critically low salt stocks to keep only major routes safe.

However, many residents were reticent to clear away snow and ice from outside their homes during the worst winter for more than 30 years amid fears they could be confronted by costly legal claims from any passing pedestrians who slipped and fell over.

North Yorkshire County Council has now received guidance from the Department for Transport after petitioning Ministers for legal advice.

The details are being sent to parish councils across North Yorkshire to then brief any householders who are concerned about facing legal challenges for injuries caused by icy footpaths.

The county council's executive member for highways, Coun Gareth Dadd, said: "We have been lobbying for some time for this.

"It is extremely gratifying that we have now had this response – particularly since it has been published before the threat of severe weather is upon us."

The guidance from the Department for Transport has stressed that there is no law preventing people from clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside their properties.

The advice also maintains it is "very unlikely" that householders would face a legal challenge over an accident as long as they are "careful and use common sense" to ensure that they do not make the pavement more treacherous than before.

The council's corporate director of business and environmental services, David Bowe, said: "It is intended that this (the guidance) will empower those who wish to act in a neighbourly way."