Snow and Ice Advice Published

East Lindsey District Council has published the Government’s snow and ice advice so local people are aware that they can clear pavements and public spaces, providing it is done sensibly.

With another cold winter forecast, the Government’s code includes:

Prevent slips – Pay extra attention to clear snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas. If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful – don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves.
Clear the snow or ice early in the day – It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
Use salt or sand – not water – If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths – If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact your local council.

Along with the Government’s advice, the District Council has also published a list of car parks it will grit and try and keep clear during snow and ice.

The Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Stuart Davy, who is responsible for the winter programme, said: “During the severe ice and snow earlier this year we attempted to keep the majority of our car parks clear and struggled. Ahead of the forthcoming winter we’ve invested in new kit to help us and have published a list of those car parks we will focus our resources on. We will do the best we can to keep priority car parks in town centres clear of ice and snow as this will enable the community to go about their normal business and it will support the economy.”

The priority car parks are:

Alford – Market Place
Horncastle – St Lawrence Street and Market Place Car Parks
Louth – Queen Street, Eastgate, Meridian Leisure Centre, North Gate, Cornmarket and Market Place
Mablethorpe – Station Sports Car Park
Skegness – Lawn Car Park (Hildreds) and Embassy Car Park
Spilsby – Post Office Lane and Middle Market Place.

Lincolnshire County Council is the authority responsible for road gritting.