Find out what your rights and responsibilities on clearing snow and ice from public areas are.
Clearing Snow and Ice Yourself
If you are going to remove snow and ice, here are some tips:
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start as early as possible - it is much easier to clear fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it
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Do not use hot water - this will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury
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be a good neighbour - some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths from their property
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if shovelling snow, think where you are going to put it so that it does not block people’s paths or drainage channels
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make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on
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spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help stop ice forming - table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it
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pay particular care and attention to steps and steep gradients
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use the sun to your advantage - removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight
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if there is no salt available, sand or ash are good alternatives
You can find further advice on clearing snow and ice from pavements, and advice and updates on winter safety and health, on the Directgov website using the links from this page.
