Treacherous conditions for Christmas shoppers

Residents of Waltham Forest have been plagued by dangerous untreated paths during the winder cold snap as there has been no grit scattered on many icy pavements or side roads across the borough.

Despite ample warning of the snow and freezing temperatures, it appears that Waltham Forest council was unprepared and is relying on volunteers or "snow angels" to keep many pavements safe.

Temperatures have consistently dropped below freezing this week, meaning that snow and ice has lingered during the busiest time of year for local shops. Commuters, Christmas shoppers and parents on the school run have all been affected, with numerous serious falls being reported across local Facebook groups.

Local resident and Liberal Democrat campaigner Patrick Smith said, “I was told today by the contractors busy hacking the pavement free of frozen ice with a pickaxe that there has been no grit purchased by Waltham Forest in preparedness for this cold snap.”

Liberal Democrats are calling on the council to work urgently to find a suitable treatment to apply to local footpaths and the more dangerous side-roads.