Plan to de-ice Larne footpaths rejected

LARNE Borough Council offered to help the Department for Regional Development to clear ice and snow from footpaths and was turned down, councillors heard this week.

Environmental services director Phillip Thompson said he asked Roads Service for a "letter of comfort" which would absolve the council of any liability in the event of injury claims.

Mr Thompson said the agency had been unable to consent to such a letter. He explained that the council has no responsibility for snow clearance and the roads agency's remit is limited to roads.

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The officer was aware that some councils had entered into agreements with Roads Service to provide contingency measures and he recommended that Larne should ask to do likewise.

He said a precedent had been set when district councils signed up to emergency planning in the event of flooding.

"It may be that this could be extended to include severe weather conditions," said Mr Thompson in response to a written question submitted by Ald O'Connor, who wanted to know if there was anything the council could do to help address ratepayers' concerns.

Ald Jack McKee reiterated his argument, reported last week, that the council should lobby at the highest level at Stormont for a change in gritting policy.

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Ald Roy Beggs favoured meeting with MLAs "because the same situation will apply in the 26 district councils and if there is a concerted approach and approval given at the highest level there could be vast improvement for everyone".

Cllr Brian Dunn asked colleagues to be realistic. "The reality is that we do not have an awful lot of snow in this country and the Roads Service is set up to deal with the more normal weather."

He added: "I totally sympathise with the people in the country, but the reality is that you need a certain amount of traffic on the road for the grit to work. We can write and sympathise and shout, but we can do very little that will make any difference."

The Larne GP pointed to legal difficulties with gritting even health centre car parks. His practice had received advice that: "If you don't grit, it's a natural condition and if people slip there is no liability; but if you grit and somebody falls, you can be sued."

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