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Medway Labour councillor Tristan Osborne in call to recruit 'snow angels' to help clear paths when big freeze arrives

00:01, 07 October 2013

A Medway councillor is calling for "snow angels" to be recruited to lend a helping hand across the Towns this winter.

Labour Parliamentary candidate Cllr Tristan Osborne has proposed that Medway Council should introduce the Snow Angels scheme.

It sees volunteers clear snow and ice from the footways and pathways in their local area.

Gritting crews from Kent Highways in a previous winter
Gritting crews from Kent Highways in a previous winter
Kent could see snow. Library picture
Kent could see snow. Library picture

Residents who volunteer are supplied with bags of grit, hi-visibility vests, protective gloves and a snow scoop.

The scheme already operates in other local authorities, including Waltham Forest, Edinburgh and Telford and Wrekin.

Cllr Osborne said: "I know from canvassing and knocking on doors in the autumn and winter months how lethal ungritted paths can be.

"In many areas residents do take it onto themselves to clear paths and roads, but this is not the case in some places."

Cllr Tristan Osborne
Cllr Tristan Osborne

He added: "I hope my idea can be looked at closely by council leaders and adopted or piloted in areas across the constituency.

"The scheme has proven popular with up to 500 volunteers in some areas; the funding coming from contractors or council revenue funds for gritting."

What do you think? Should the idea be rolled out across Kent? Would you consider become a "snow angel"? Join the debate below.


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