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Call for binmen to clear snow from drives
Wednesday 30th December 2009, 11:30AM GMT.
Binmen and other workers should be clearing pensioners’ driveways of ice and snow during the winter, the leader of a Black Country council said today.
Councillor Darren Cooper, leader of Sandwell Council, said when bin lorries are being held up by bad weather, workers could be clearing people’s paths and probably would be pleased to do so.
“Obviously there are health and safety and legal issues,” he said. “But given the spirit of our workforce, I think they would want to take part in this and help protect vulnerable people.
“When the bin lorries or litterpick wagons can’t get around because of the snow, I am asking the environmental department whether or not staff could be redeployed to clear snow from the driveways and paths of older and vulnerable people.
“When employees of the council can’t do their normal job because the roads are so bad, why can’t we have some of these people working to clear the snow and ice from drives and paths?
“Hopefully, it would encourage other people to do it too. I want more community spirit as part of my drive to make Sandwell a place to be proud of.”
Councillor Cooper, who became leader earlier this month, is getting legal advice on his proposal and is in talks with the local authority’s environmental department, while it is hoped other councils could follow suit.
He said only the properties of pensioners or disabled people should be treated by staff.
The Soho and Victoria councillor added: “During this cold snap, I would ask all people to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours and relatives and help in clearing their drives and paths.”
The Express & Star reported last week how people could be leaving themselves open to legal action if they do not take appropriate measures to make their driveways safe.
Councils advise the use of rock salt.
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A council leader talking common sense? About time. Fair play to him.
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If I ever see a Council worker being paid by may tax to clear someone’s drive or pathway, then you can surely expect a really serious letter of complaint to you, Cooper, to the Audit Commission and to John Spellar.
What a joke – to seriously suggest such an abject breach of state services.
We as individuals clear the snow from our paths. If we are too infirm to do it ourselves, our family or neighbours should do it. If they don’t, then we should ask.
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What a wonderful idea!!!
Unfortunately while the bin men are clearing snow they won’t be emptying bins, or maybe more bin men should be employed?…..or even better, maybe Sandwell council could set up a special stand-by squad of snow shifters ( with their own department,office, Director, Asst Director, etc. etc….oh,and pensions of course ).
Can’t afford it? Oh well I suppose Gordon McBroon can always print some more money to pay for it!
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Never going to happen. Picture this, bin man comes and clears your path, you come out and fall. You sue the council etc. Nice idea but a FAIL.
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whats stopping you, Mr Cooper and your councillor mates getting shovels and doing the job eh?
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dont knock this suggestion till its been tried out i hope this is one of many ideas to come from darren cooper its time someone on the council got their thinking caps on
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Bin men clearing drives !!!
Three points.
Firstly if the bin wagons cant get out then how do these workers get to the homes in the first place.
Who decides which paths to clear and how is most needy?
And after the service is privatised next year do you really think that Biffa or whoever controls the workers will let this happen??
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Cooperman strikes again what a wally.The council have just forced pay cuts on the manual staff under the guise of “Job Evaluation”. Forced them to sign these new contracts before appeals are settled. With the threat of the sack if they were not signed by 1st January. He expects the work force to be so motivated they will go and clear snow .Then some one will slip sue the council the unfortunate employee will get the blame as did the caretaker over the christmas tree and gnome fiasco
.Mr cooper stop showing off and JUST IMPROVE THE SERVICES YOU GIVE AT THE MOMENT.
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The ghost of Jacob Marley to comment 2, please.
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Be nice to see binmen coming round once a week and collecting the bins, as they used to do not too long in the past. Do the job they are paid for first.
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err… most of the elderly infirm people I live near don’t go out in the snow. They are doing he sensible thing and staying in the warm. Imagine the fun they would have if they want to venture beyond their pristine drives. Feel free to clear my drive so I can get to work to pay for all these good ideas.
maybe also chuck a bit of grit on the car parks and pavements ???
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Do you think the binmen can cope with clearing snow from our driveways?? Just wondering because most of this country seems to grind to a standstill when we have a few inches!!! So asking the binmen to clear our driveways when they probably won’t even drive on the roads due to current health and safety in this country… is a bit ridiculous!
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I think this is simply a means of forcing people to do two jobs at once. I find it ludicrous that bin men – who already have their work cut out – are expected to exhaust even more energy on this. Does nobody realise just how tiring this would be? Oh, and don’t talk to me about community spirit..imo this council has done a fantastic job of shoveling that down the pan!
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Us tradesmen last year did go around the north Sandwell area last year cleaning the front paths of vulnerable people and yes we were pleased to do it.
Wednesbury Paul.
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I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA CAN WE FIRST GIVE THEM LESSONS ON HOW TO PICK UP THE LITTER THEY LEAVE IN THE STREET. SNOW SHIFTING CAN COME LATER LETS NOT CONFUSE THEM TO MUCH.
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Well what a cracking idea from a council at last, that is until the reality kicks in. The Dudley binmen can’t clear up the rubbish properly, so god knows how they will cope with snow?
You can just imagine the politics of it, I can clear this bit of snow but not that bit over there. That bits gone a bit brown, I can only clear up white snow, call the depot and they’ll send another bloke!!!
By the way Connor, you’re off your head mate. Would you prefer them out doing a job for the money they earn or sitting on there backsides somewhere doing nought? Spot the difference!!!
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Cllr Cooper and his Cllr mates should lead by example.. instead of picking on the binmen, asking people to do 2 jobs and be paid for 1.
Shame on you – how many full time jobs has Cllr cooper got?
Why don’t we ask the staff of Lloyds TSB or RBS – these banks are now state owned same as the Council..
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