True grit needed

SIR – As the treacherous weather of continuous ice and snow has only just passed (and possibly more to come this month) and in light of all the needless accidents that occurred from no grit/sand being available on the pavements or on the little connecting

SIR - As the treacherous weather of continuous ice and snow has only just passed (and possibly more to come this month) and in light of all the needless accidents that occurred from no grit/sand being available on the pavements or on the little connecting roads in the St Albans/Harpenden district - despite the warning that it was definitely going to occur - forcing many to walk on the main roads that were in part gritted, may I make a suggestion to avoid the overspill of Accident and Emergency cases that surely occurred in all the nearby hospitals and doctors' surgeries?

That is that the council should place a box of grit/sand (and accessible shovel in it) on every street in the St Albans district that is open and available for all who pass by and is refilled on a regular basis until the worst has passed.

This community action would surely encourage all able-bodied people to help out others more vulnerable to the icy conditions. And by this, it would also cut down the "extra work" required by the council at such times and be of practical help of all of us so needing it.

MARY LALE

Eastmoor Park, Harpenden