Council encourages local residents to clear snow and ice themselves

There is a widespread belief in Britain that it is unwise to clear the snow off the pavement in front of your house.  Strange though this may seem, this has stemmed largely from the fear that if someone slips and injures themselves on the stretch of pavement that you have cleared they can sue you. Last year, many householders across the county did not clear their pathways for fear that they might be at risk of legal action if someone slipped over.

Somerset County Council have issued advice in response to the snow and ice caused by recent drops in temperature. The council's Winter Maintenance Leaflet 2010/2011 reassures local residents that they should not be discouraged from acting as good citizens in clearing snow from pavements. There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home, or from public spaces. 

Somerset County Council have confirmed residents should clear pathways without fear that they will be sued by anyone who slips over. Their guidance states "If you use your common sense and take reasonable care to see that you do not create a new and worse risk (e.g. by pouring boiling water which then freezes) you should have nothing to be afraid of."

Jason Squire, partner at Ashfords LLP, supports this advice, adding, "People who clear outside their homes are only at risk if they do the job so badly that they create a more dangerous situation than before they started".