Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
8 January 2010
07:1336769#1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8443745.stm
So, in parts of the USA, it's down to the individual citizen to clear snow and ice from your 'patch' - given that the people are given free sand to do the job, isn't this something that could be considered over here?
In times when the biggest constraint on budgets is the cost of labour, surely this would appear to be a fresh and sensible way of sharing the burden?
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
8 January 2010
07:5836770#2
The link didn't work Andy, but that apart, yes I do think we should clear the pavement outside our house, but my understanding is that legally, if we do, and someone slips on that cleared area, we can be held liable.
I do the path from the front door to the gate.
There must be exceptions of course - the elderly and infirm; what about using the Community Pay-Back teams to clear the snow ? or are they prevented from clearing the snow because of health and safety ?
Roger
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
8 January 2010
09:2436772#3
Ah, beware. According to the article, if you live in one of those areas and don't clear the path, then you could end up with a warning and then a fine. Maybe a god-send for hard-up local authorities, but not so for hard-up citizens, nor those who are concerned about the number of investigations and reports that may be made on the individual.
The report does mention legal liability if someone should be hurt on your cleared area, but adds that they would have to prove you behaved maliciously or carelessly. However, if you know people are likely to walk to your door and that there are dangers on that private path, then you are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of your visitors.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
8 January 2010
09:2836774#4
Andy before I start just want to say a well done on bringing us the toilet closure story and thread which was completely rocket fuelled from the moment you mentioned it...who'd have thought that would take off in such a way, if the newspapers dont take that one up I'll be eating my hat so I will.
But yes in the old days there used to be much more of clearing snow away by the individual. Shopkeepers used to do it, but all the shops then were owned by individuals, so there was some pride in it. It was a job being a shopkeeper, mostly for men, and these guys used to get their shovels out and do the snow clearing business. Im talking about Ireland here now but I guess it was the same here. Nowadays shops are owned by distant conglomerates and somethimes staffed by very young females and there is no chance of seeing these getting the shovels out.
But this american method could work in say cul-de sacs or something, but I think Roger is right, if someone slips on your pavement you could be in trouble. I know for example the pavement outside each of the premises in the London Road is the responsibility of the owners, if say it is uneven or something and someone falls just passing by, well there are some legal concerns there, and it would be the same with snow Im sure. It is a weird situation where the individual is responsible for a public pavement but it is indeed fact...who said the law was an ass...not me of course!
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
8 January 2010
09:4136776#5
After clearing about 6 tons of the stuff at school yesterday ( closed ) I went home and myself and a neighbour continued to clear our pavements and about a dozen pensioners pavements.
All hard work but very rewarding.
Unemployed or payback, can't see it happening.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
8 January 2010
10:4436777#6
Payback are allowed to clear the snow, have just witnessed one doing it without any complaints. As for the unemployed, Germany has no hesitation in using them for many tasks including snow clearance. Their unemployed expect to have to do community duty in return for financial support but don't hold your breath on it ever happening here. On the other hand this weather is ideal for this government, it enables them to skate more easily around every important issue.
8 January 2010
11:0436778#7
Ha!!
I see no reason why the unemployed cannot work on community-benefit projects. It kills several birds with one stone - it enables people to earn their suppport, to learn a work ethic, and to contribute to the community. Win-win.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
8 January 2010
12:3836780#8
I cleared away a fair amount from main door to gate, then driveway, followed by pavement outside as fairly slippery, will reclear in a bit as icy after last nights flurrys
s
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
8 January 2010
13:4536782#9
I have been out helping in the last few days with the hill and paths etc. i like doing it .I am not working now so like to help out ,but today my old knees are not that good so i am not doing it today but the sun is out and alot of birds etc in the garden so great just to see them feeding what we have put out for them
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
8 January 2010
13:5436783#10
According to Watty the reason why the 'payback' clan can't help out cleaning the public loo's and therefore supposedly clearing snow covered pavements is that its all to do with demeaning those on community service and 'elf an safety issues.
Rollocks!!!!!
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
8 January 2010
16:4136798#11
Been nice knowing you :)
8 January 2010
16:5836800#12
Marek - summed up beautifully as always!!!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
8 January 2010
18:2536811#13
I think it's spelt with a "B" Marek !!
I would have thought that the policy for what the Community Pay-Back teams can do, would be Nationwide - isn't it ?
It's run by the Probation Service after all.
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
8 January 2010
20:4836845#14
Ken
You keep telling me your a labour person yet use every opportunity to attack them very very strange
my bacon sarnie getting cold lol
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
9 January 2010
10:2136912#15
Apologies to all Forumites for hijacking this thread.
Keith; If the subject under discussion were Surestart, winter fuel allowance for the elderly,Care Navigator for the elderly or many of the other excellent schemes devises by this government, then I would be heaping praise upon them, but when they fiddle whilst Rome burns then I will bring them to task i.e. ordering a reduction of 25% in gritting. 25% of what? Hard shoulders not to be gritted. These are 2 decisions that should be made by Highways engineers at county level not a government minister.
Can't offer you a bacon sarnie, but if you pop into the centre this morning I can offer you toast.