A local resident wants the people of Tenby to follow the lead of many countries in Europe when it comes to clearing up ice and snow outside their properties.

Mrs. Ann Rowell, of Appletree Cottage, Narberth Road, has written to the town council with her views on the matter after reading of numerous people in the area who had struggled to get out and about from their homes in the recent treacherous conditions

"If every property owner in Tenby was responsible for clearing the pavement in front of their premises from snow and ice, we wouldn't have the situation we have had with pedestrians having to walk on the road," wrote Mrs. Rowell in her letter to the council.

"Many countries in Europe, including Sweden where I am from, have this as a law/bylaw.

"I have just returned from Bruges in Belgium and by 9 am, after heavy snowfall at night, all pavements were clear," she continued.

"I myself used sand from my granddaughter's sandpit mixed with cooking salt to clear the pavement in front of my property and was greeted with encouragement from passing motorists as I was doing this.

"My next door neighbour, Clr. Mike Thorne, also cleared his pavement, so at least a bit of Narberth Road was safe to walk on," she added.

On discussing the letter, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter felt that the recent weather had made it too risky for people to attempt to make pathways outside their properties safer.

"I agree with the letter, but times have changed and we are advised in this day and age to leave the clearing up to the authorities to deal with," she said, referring to a story in a national newspaper which said householders and businesses had been warned not to clear snowy and icy pavements - as they could be sued if someone slipped.

"Only recently, it was noted to me not to clear anything from outside my son's shop in Tenby as if someone fell outside the premises, they could claim off the business, whereas if the snow and ice was left, it would be the county council's responsibility.

"Obviously trying to be a responsible citizen doesn't count anymore," she added.

Clr. Mike Thorne disagreed with the notion, and said it was a widely held myth that you could be liable for clearing outside your property.

"I think only if you made the situation worse could a circumstance like that occur, but you can't be blamed for improving an area," he said.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, though, felt that it was an indication of the times, that businesses and householders were too worried to carry out a clean-up outside a property that led onto an area where the public could have an accident.

"Unfortunately, it's the times that we live in and the blame culture in society where someone could tackle you if they fell outside your shop or business.

"If people read examples in the paper where someone has been held responsible for a fall, then I don't think an awful lot of people would do anything about clearing up the conditions themselves and leave it to the authorities," she said.

However, Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans, said she hoped the people of Tenby would continue to be responsible and take it upon themselves to clear outside their own properties where they could.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said that householders needed to be careful when it concerned the clearing of icy and snowy areas outside their properties, as it could leave them open to legal action if someone slipped.

"If a householder is clearing a pathway or area outside their property on the specific request of the council or on the authority's advice, then they would be covered by the council's insurance, but if not, and they were doing it on their own accord or out of the goodness of their heart, then they might be liable to legal action if an accident should occur," they explained.