Vote for the Ice Factor - forget the X Factor this weekend

If like me you are fed up with the priority given to cars after snow and ice - with roads gritted and cleared and pavements left for us to slip and slide on, then you may be interested in Living Streets' campaign on behalf of pedestrians.

Follow this LINK to take part in their 'Ice Factor' game (a totally different meaning to 'break a leg' than the X Factor)a fun way to bring the message home.

Living Streets are calling for local authorities to agree a winter contract with communities, committing to:

• Make sure that a severe weather plan is in place that sets out what the Council will do to reduce the impact of severe weather on all road users – including pedestrians
• Make sure that paths are gritted so that everyone, including older, younger and disabled people, is still able to walk to essential services
• Send staff and contractors to help clear pavements if they are unable to carry out their main job because of the severe weather
• Keep all grit bins filled so that grit can be used where it is needed
• Coordinate a list of volunteers who can be activated by email to help clear streets and alert the local public to help.

A sample contract can be downloaded from their website and sent to your council.