A Green Party motion to the Sheffield Council meeting on January 5^th asks the council to give more priority to clearing pavements and pedestrian routes when snow and ice threaten the city transport system in the future. Proposer of the motion, Cllr Rob Murphy, comments :

“We need to ensure that people can walk or use public transport so they can make the sensible decision to leave their car at home when conditions are dangerous. Clearing and gritting pavements needs to be given more priority. People have been unable to walk to get into work while older people have been stuck indoors worried about taking a fall.”

“We recognise that council staff and other workers have gone beyond the call of duty in difficult circumstances. Climate change projections clearly indicate that Sheffield will have to cope with more extreme weather situations in the future. Our motion aims to ensure that the city is ready for extreme weather with the right priorities to keep everyone moving whether by car, bus, tram or on foot.” ENDS

Notes :

The motion to Sheffield City Council on January 5^th reads :

That this Council:

1. notes that weather patterns are changing and that for the second year running the City has experienced more prolonged periods of snowfall and extreme cold than has been usual;
2. thanks all council staff and other workers across the City who have gone beyond the call of duty in difficult circumstances and those who have volunteered or helped out in any way during this difficult period;
3. recognises the importance of keeping the City on the move and notes that many journeys were slowed by the volume of moving and parked cars on priority routes including tram lines; and
4. therefore hopes that any future winter planning will include:

1. emphasising the importance of leaving the car at home and using public transport and walking if at all possible;
2. identifying important pedestrian routes and bringing them up the priority order in terms of clearance and gritting; and
3. mapping the distribution of snow champions and finding ways for them to co-ordinate their efforts