Clearing snow and ice

There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. However, it's a good idea to follow the Government's advice when clearing snow and ice safely.

If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful - don't make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don't be put off clearing paths because you're afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice on these pages to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.

Suffolk County Council has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice. Priority is given to the busiest roads, after that roads, footways and cycle tracks are treated according to a system of priorities based on usage - details of which are published on the Suffolk County Council website.

In any case, salting and snow clearing cannot guarantee that a surface is ice free. Road users should therefore take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others when freezing conditions occur.