With cold weather fast approaching, it is important that we are prepared for the worst. Here are some top tips for clearing your paths or roads when it’s icy or snowy:
- Start early: it is much easier to remove fresh, loose snow
- Make a path down the middle of the area you are clearing first, so you’ve got a clear surface to walk on. Then you can shovel the snow from the centre to the sides.
- Spread salt on the area you have cleared to help to prevent ice forming. Table or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid plants or grass as it may damage them.
- A few grams (a tablespoon) for each square metre you clear should work. The salt found in salting bins should mainly be used to keep roads clear.
- Pay particular attention to steps and steep areas; you might need additional salt here.
- Do not use hot water. It does melt snow, but can result in black ice, which is dangerous.
- When shovelling snow, make sure it does not block people’s paths or drainage channels.
- If it’s sunny, take off the top layer of snow; the sun to melt any ice beneath, but you will need to put salt down to stop it refreezing overnight.
When ice is forecast, our gritters make sure the busiest roads are treated to reduce accidents and keep traffic moving. If we don’t do your road, then there are 185 grit bins around the borough which residents can use. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/getgritting to see if we grit your road.
Be a good neighbour, snow and cold weather can make getting in and out hard for older or vulnerable residents. They may not be able to clear their own paths, so if you can, see if your neighbours need a hand when it’s cold
