Free grit paves the way for ice-free pavements (From Times Series)

Free grit paves the way for ice-free pavements

9:30am Friday 10th February 2012 in Top Stories By Hannah Raven

People worried about icy pavements can claim free grit from Barnet Council, as part of its PledgeBank scheme.

If four volunteers offer to keep the pavements of their road clear, the council will provide one tonne of grit, shovels and wheelbarrows.

It will also offer advice, weather reports and insurance for the volunteers.

One volunteer will need to be the grit keeper. This follows a successful pilot scheme last year during which volunteers took responsibility for storing and overseeing the spreading of the grit.

The council is also supporting schools, which are working with parents to keep buildings open in poor weather.

Thirty schools have signed up to the pledge so far, including Bishop Douglass RC School, in East Finchley, Christ Church CE School, in Barnet, Martin Primary School, in East Finchley and Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School, in Barnet.

Angela Murphy, headteacher at Bishop Douglass School, said: "This is a way for the community to get together to keep the street open.

"We have 20 enthusiastic volunteers who were happy to sign up to the pledge after a successful pilot last year."

The council will provide grit to the first 25 schools to complete the pledge, plus ten streets.

To volunteer, visit http://pledgebank.barnet.gov.uk/