Tips for clearing snow and ice

You are welcome to clear snow and ice from the pavement outside your home, the paths leading to your property, or nearby public areas. There is no law that prevents you from doing this. Anyone using paths affected by snow and ice also has a responsibility to take care.

If an accident were to happen, it is very unlikely that you would be held liable—as long as you have taken reasonable care and haven't made the surface more dangerous than it was before. Using common sense, such as clearing snow carefully and applying grit or salt when possible, helps keep everyone safer.

The Department for Transport has issued a 'snow code' to clarify your rights and responsibilities when clearing snow and ice from public areas.

How to clear snow and ice

When you clear snow and ice:

• do it early in the day - it's easier to move fresh, loose snow
• do not use water - it might refreeze and turn to black ice
• use salt if possible - it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but do not use the salt from salting bins as this is used to keep roads clear)
• you can use ash and sand if you do not have enough salt - it will provide grip underfoot
• pay extra attention when clearing steps and steep pathways - using more salt may help

You can find out more information on which roads we grit, grit bin locations and updates on when our crewes have been out treating roads on our How we look after roads in winter pages.