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Now the Island's priority principal transport network is clear, efforts have been turning to other areas of the Island's transport network.
These include key footways in some of the Island's main towns. In addition, specific work has or will be carried out around various school sites and other routes that connect public transport terminals.
Peter Hayward, IW Council head of highways and transport said that once the work was completed an assessment would then be made of any other critical areas that required treatment.
“In line with the advice of the LGA, the council's policy has been to focus on maintaining the primary network to ensure services like hospitals stay open and supplies get through,” Mr Hayward said.
“Having secured the 11 key routes connecting towns on the Island we have been able to look at other connecting roads and key pedestrian areas.”
In the light of some media reports, Mr Hayward repeated the view that the council would not discourage residents from clearing snow and ice from the footways outside their homes in an appropriate fashion.
“Advice from the Government is quite clear: the Cabinet Office said they wouldn't expect courts to find individuals who clear pavements liable for injuries provided that this is done in a reasonable manner,” said Mr Hayward.
“Furthermore the Health and Safety Executive has said this is not an area regulated by the HSE, nor does it fall under Health and Safety at Work Act.”
“The HSE has said it is ridiculous that people should be prevented from being helpful for fear of being held responsible for accidents. It would seem that if there is a risk of prosecution it would be a small one and via a private action. “The council would not seek to dissuade residents from clearing away snow and ice provided they do so safely and responsibly.”
Meanwhile the Government – that is now controlling salt supplies – has earmarked a further 200 tonnes for the Island to arrive in two 100 tonne batches this week and next.
With the reserves the Island has, there is no prospect that the Island will have insufficient salt supplies during the current cold snap.
Notes to editors:
Please see link to article refuting stories that residents face prosecution for clearing footways:
http://www.iosh.co.uk/news_and_events/news/latest_news_releases/01_-_good_neighbourliness.aspx
Also the footway clearance programme comprises:
Ryde
Lower High Street footways from Garfield Road to St Thomas' Square
St Thomas's Square
Union Street footways
Anglesea Street to Somerfield Store
George Street – Outside Library
Footways around Taxi Rank/Railway Station/Bus Station
East Cowes
Footway from Floating Bridge to Red Funnel Terminal
Footway from Red Funnel Terminal to Well Road Car Park
Footway from Floating Bridge to shops
West Cowes
Footways from Bus Station (Co-op) to Fountain Quay
Terminus Road footway from Park Road Car park to Fountain Quay
Footway from floating bridge to High Street shops
Sandown
High Street – Sainsbury to Somerfield footway
Footway from St Johns road Car park to High Street
Footways around The Heights/Car Park/Health Centre
Shanklin
Regent Street western footway from Railway Station to High Street
Falcon Cross Road footway from Regent Street to Bus Station
Wootton Bridge
Footway from Brannon Way Car Park to Tesco
High Street southern footway between shops
Bembridge
Footway from Supermarket to Boots
Lane End Footway around shops
Seaview
Footway from Car Park to shops
Brading
High Street footways from Bull Ring Pedestrian Crossing to Bugle Inn
Eastern footway from Car Park to Bugle Inn
Lake
Footpath access from Lake Road to Car Park
Western footway from Bus Stops to Co-op Store
Newport
High Street – Coppins Bridge to Carisbrooke Road
St James Square – South Street to High Street
South Street – St James' Street to Church Litten
Orchard Street – South Street to Nodehill School
Coppins Bridge – pedestrian crossing
Sea Street – Quay Street to Holyrood Street
County Hall – Footpath between Quay Street and High Street
Quay Street – High Street to Sea Street
Post Office Lane
Castlehold Lane
Cockram's Yard
Pyle Street – Carisbrooke Road to Town Lane
Town Lane – South Street to Pyle Street
Holyrood Street – High Street to Lugley Street
Ventnor
Pier Street – Albert Street to Church Street
Church Street – High Street to Hamborough Road
High Street – Church Street to Victoria Street
Albert Street – Market Street to Victoria Street
Market Street – High Street to Albert Street
Spring Hill – High Street to Grove Road
Tulse Hill / Marlborough Road – High Street to toilets
Freshwater
School Green Road – Library to Queens Road
Avenue Road – Princes Road to School Green Road
High Street – Sunset Close to Avenue Road
Brookside Road – Lime Tree Court to Moa Place
Moa Place
Queens Road – Tennyson Road to Clayton Road
