08/01/10 - Gritting the path outside your house could see you facing legal action
Paul Bristow, Prospective Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, emailed Redcar & Cleveland Council asking for advice on gritting the dangerous icy pavement. The Area Management Directorate responded stating:
"Rock salt can be purchased at most DIY stores, but due to the demand they may have sold out. As an alternative we have been advised that cooking salt or cat litter can be used with the same effect. You could run the risk of any legal action should anyone hurt themselves as a result of gritting the pavement yourself. The council cannot be responsible for any actions you take yourself, however if you would the council to grit the pathway I can put a request through but cannot advise on how long this will take.''
Responding to this email Paul commented:
"I think it is sad state of affairs that health and safety laws are designed to discourage residents clearing ice from outside their own homes and their neighbours. I do not blame the council or officers as no doubt they are following health and safety guidelines.
We should be trying to encourage Teesside's well known community and neighbourly spirit to help get us through this bad spell of weather rather fostering a fear of litigation. The last thing we want is people worried about whether they might face legal action for trying to ensure elderly and vulnerable people do not hurt themselves on our very treacherous pavements."
Please see below the email exchange from earlier this week.
To: paulbristow@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Gritting Pavements
From: contactus@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 15:31:59 +0000
Dear Mr Bristow
Thank you for your e-mail.
Rock salt can be purchased at most DIY stores, but due to the demand they may have sold out. As an alternative we have been advised that cooking salt or cat litter can be used with the same effect. You could run the risk of any legal action should anyone hurt themselves as a result of gritting the pavement yourself. The council cannot be responsible for any actions you take yourself, however if you would the council to grit the pathway I can put a request through but cannot advise on how long this will take.
Kind regards
Customer Services and Libraries
Area Management Directorate
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Redcar and Cleveland House
Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
TS10 1RT
| Paul Bristow |
To: cc: Subject: Gritting Pavements |
To Whom it May Concern,
I would like to grit the path on Coatham Road, Redcar. Can you let me know where I can get the salt from and what other issues I should be aware of. Am I allowed to do this and what happens if someone should fall outside my property?
Best wishes
Paul Bristow
Coatham Road, Redcar.
10/03/10 - 95,000 manufacturing jobs lost under Labour in the North East
95,000 manufacturing jobs lost under Labour in the North East
New figures uncovered by the Conservative Party show that 94,857 manufacturing jobs we... Read More
08/03/10 - Action needed to tackle abuse and violence in Teesside schools
Action needed to tackle abuse and violence in Teesside schools
Paul Bristow, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Middlesbrough South & East... Read More
02/03/10 - Bold new policies to make planning system more responsive and accountable
Paul Bristow this week has welcomed major new policies from Conservatives to reform England's 'broken' planning system. A new system of 'Open Source' ... Read More
26/02/10 - Challenging Arriva on rural bus services in East Cleveland
Mr Ian
McInroy
Managing
Director
Arriva
North East
FREEPOST
NT 2040
Newcastle
upon Tyne
NE2 1BR
25th February
2010
&nb... Read More
24/02/10 - Become your own boss, Paul Bristow offers Teesside public sector workers
Become your own boss, Paul Bristow offers Teesside public sector workers
New plans for employee-owned co-operatives to help improve local
serv... Read More
16/02/10 - Government and MPs have failed on Corus
Commenting on the news that Corus has confirmed plans to mothball the blast furnace at Teesside Cast Products in Redcar, Paul Bristow the Conservati... Read More
12/02/10 - Now Gordon wants £20,000 of your money when you die!
Gordon Brown has a consistent track record of saying 'no new taxes' before an election and then raising them by stealth after it; but this week he h... Read More
