Greens call for fresh approach to winter weather

Sheffield Green Party today called for a fresh approach from Amey and the Council to winter weather as Sheffielders have struggled in the ice and snow. Residents across the city have been working to clear away ice and snow but have been frustrated about the lack of grit bins and slow refilling. The Green Party is arguing that alongside providing residents with grit for footpaths, Amey should clear priority footpaths and cycle routes at the same time as roads.

Green Party Councillor for Ecclesall, Peter Gilbert, said:

“Our NHS is in the middle of a crisis. The last thing they need is loads of people turning up with broken bones and sprains from falling on the ice. That’s what people are facing across Sheffield. The pavements aren’t cleared and on busy roads people can’t safely walk in the cleared road. We need clearance of the pavements at the same time as the busy roads.”

Green Party Councillor for City, Ruth Mersereau, said:

“Our current maintenance schedule means that most of the city’s pavements are left with leaves, snow and ice uncleared. Slippery pavements make it risky to get about, particularly on hilly streets and for older people. And when pavements haven’t been gritted, people are forced to walk or wheel in the roads, at risk from motor vehicles”

Greens ask questions of the council and Amey

Green Councillors asked questions in Council in September and directly to Amey in October about handling snowy weather conditions. Amey stated in their response that, “we do not grit our cycleways or footways with the exception of areas around hospitals and within the city centre network”. However, many cycleways and pavements that should have been cleared within the Amey contract, including those around schools, have not been done days after the snow has fallen. Well-used pavements in shopping districts and around schools and retirement homes have become dangerous.

Sheffield Green Party argues pavements around schools and other priority footpaths should be cleared and gritted at the same time as priority roads are cleared. This has been done in Stockholm, Sweden, where clearing pavements alongside roads has significantly reduced injuries from falls.

Councillor Ruth Mersereau said:

“The gritting of some footpaths has been welcome but it isn’t enough. People with difficulty walking, some older adults, and people who need a wheelchair to get around, are most at risk from falls on ice or from effectively being trapped at home until the ice thaws. In November, the Council voted to declare Sheffield a Pedestrian Friendly City. If it truly was, then the movement and safety of walkers and wheelers would take priority and we would have properly gritted pavements and cycleways. The Council urgently needs to work with Amey to change its policy on this.”

Councillor Peter Gilbert said:

“I’ve been out helping residents grit pavements that are dangerous and it’s been frustrating when we’ve not had enough grit to do the job. We need more help to get more of these pavements cleared. Amey should be told they have a duty to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as to motorists. That means more grit, more grit bins, and clearing the footpaths and cycleways that people rely on.”

Greens want the Amey contract enforced and renegotiated if needed

Sheffield Greens argue that the contract with Amey needs to be properly enforced, and if necessary renegotiated, by Sheffield City Council to include more clearing and gritting of footpaths around schools and on busy priority routes. This would help pedestrians get around safely. A reduction in slips and falls through better footpath clearance would reduce the number of slips and falls, which would be a saving to the NHS. Funding from the NHS for preventative measures could be usefully directed towards some of this work, or for other proven measures, such as supplying grippers to elderly people at risk of falls.