Icy sidewalks create pedestrian problems
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/12/2011 (5248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The recent stretch of milder weather has caused problems for people using sidewalks in Brandon.
The combination of snow and rain has left a layer of ice on many sidewalks.
“It’s a bit of an oddball season and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change right away. Everybody just has to realize that those are the conditions and be careful when you are walking outside,” said Mel Clark, director of facilities and transportation for Brandon School Division.
A problem area is near Riverheights School in the west end. Brandon Sun carrier Kevin Terry has seen how the poor sidewalk conditions affect everyone in the area.
“The one I’m really complaining about is Centennial … It’s a bus route, it’s a school route, it’s for the elderly to be able to walk to Sobeys. You can’t do it, it’s complete ice,” Terry said. “A little boy slipped today … because of the rain, the small snowfall and the ice buildup.”
Terry believes that the problem results from a lack of people taking responsibility and shovelling the sidewalks.
“There is no removal, no bylaw … there have been excuses but no results,” Terry said.
In Brandon, the Traffic Bylaw No. 5463, clause 10.7 outlines snow clearing and removal from sidewalks adjacent to businesses, but there is no bylaw to address snow removal on and around private residences.
“The only bylaw there is for sidewalk cleaning is (that) businesses have to do theirs. If private residences don’t clear their sidewalks it’s not something we are going to have to come in and do,” said Rod Paterson, charge head of streets and roads for the City of Brandon.
Many private residences choose not to shovel or remove the ice from the walkways in front of their homes. The mild weather and freezing rain has lead to a buildup of ice that neither city nor resident is responsible for.
“We have routes around the city that we do. There will be sidewalks that we plow, but it doesn’t involve every street,” Paterson said.
With the forecast predicting more out of season weather, Terry is concerned that the problem will worsen.
“It (will) take an accident before someone comes out and cleans it up,” he said. “Who is liable for the damage if someone does fall and break a hip or an arm or a leg?”
Guild Insurance president Darryl Andrews was hesitant to make any claims but did suggest that it is important to prove negligence after any injury involving snow or ice.
“Homeowners and people that own property are covered for liability in regards to people getting hurt on their premise if found legally liable because of their negligence,” Andrews said.