Forum Topic

Gritted pavements in Ealing - February 2009

This is rather a long shot but a friend of mine fell over on the ungritted, icy pavement outside The Town House in February last year.  She broke her wrist and is suing Ealing Council for loss of earnings.The Council insist that the pavement was gritted and that they have records to prove it but they have yet to provide the records in question.I know this is a year ago but is there anyone else who was around The Town House on the first morning of heavy snow (sorry, will get exact date from my friend) and who saw the state of the pavement on the corner at about 8.30am ?  My friend was taken to Ealing Hospital and met a couple of other people who had fallen over in the same place.  She later went back to the area with her partner to take photographs but by then it was too late by then - the Council had gritted.Any help would be appreciated.

Allison Franklin ● 6080d3 Comments

Hi Allison I remember it clearly and it was also brought up I think at our public meeting (WEN) in Feb too. Anne Chapman categorically stated that the pavements had been gritted and they had not.  I walked from West Ealing to EB and saw several people fall, or at least nearly trip over on the way.  The Townhouse was an ice rink, I think there may have been a previous thread on here about it too.

Diane Gill ● 6080d

I too slipped (fortunately without much damage) on the pavement outside The Town House on that day of snow last winter. As far as I could see there was no grit on the pavement. On returning in the late afternoon or early evening I checked with nearby shopkeepers and the consensus was that no grit had been applied at this very busy point until late morning or early afternoon - long after the morning rush-hour was over.Best of luck with the claim!Incidentally, why is there no obligation (as in many countries with cold winters)for householders and shopkeepers to clear the snow and ice from the pavement outside their premises?

Anthony Warwick-Ching ● 6080d

Diane and AnthonyThank you for your responses.  Would you mind if I checked with my friend who is bringing the case against Ealing Council whether her solicitors would find it useful to have those descriptions from you in writing?  I won't offer your involvement if you would rather not but perhaps you could let me know via here?Many thanks.

Allison Franklin ● 6080d