4:50pm Sunday 17th January 2010
By David Lindsell
Kingston has seen one of the largest increases in the number of slips and falls in the capital during the icy spell, according to London Ambulance Service.
There were 15 emergency calls on Saturday to reports of falls in Kingston - more than double the amount on a typical winter day.
One eye witness saw an elderly man slip while struggling to walk on the pavement coming out of Lovelace Gardens on to Brighton Road - a common sight across the borough.
Temperatures had risen above freezing, leading to some thawing of ice and snow, but a fresh batch of snow has made going treacherous once more.
Jason Killens, deputy director of operations for London Ambulance Service, said: “Ice is still an issue in many parts of London and I’d urge people to take extra care when they’re out and about, and to dress appropriately.
“The roads might look clear but the pavements are still quite icy and hazardous.
“In the past few days we’ve seen an increase in calls where people have slipped or fallen over so please be careful.”
Kingston Council has been advising residents to clear paths outside their homes by shovelling loose snow away and put down grit and salt to help break up any ice.
A spokesman said: “Our view is it is a communal problem. We do what we can within our resources. Other people can make a contribution.
“We are aware some boroughs had been accused of telling people they would be liable but we said very early on we are happy for people to do that.”
Graham McNally, town centre manager, said: “We have a small supply of grit ourselves and we do salt areas as we find them. Places like the Ashdown Road area which don’t have retail outlets will still have some degree of ice.”
Councillor Paul Johnston, representing Surbiton Hill, said the main roads had been cleared of ice and snow but minor roads and pavements were a problem.
Asked whether residents should take matters in to their own hands to get together and clear roads, he agreed and said: “I know some people complain and say we pay our council tax for these but needs must when the devil rides.”
Ten quad bikes belonging to Transport for London were gritting pavements in central London last week, but none were Kingston, which only has one main TfL route - the A3.
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