RESIDENTS are preparing to pitch in and keep their own icy roads and pavements clear this winter through a £5,000 do-it-yourself gritting scheme led by Frodsham Town Council.

The council approved the community initiative, proposed Mayor Andrew Dawson, to purchase a supply of 20kg bags of grit/salt to be delivered four times, if necessary, throughout the winter to residents in key locations, particularly road junctions and hilly areas.

As volunteers, they will spread the grit on highways and footpaths to keep traffic moving and safeguard pedestrians in areas not treated by Cheshire West and Chester Council, and any unused supplied will be stored and form the basis of a future community stockpile.

The first delivery is ordered for early November and while 20 residents have so far signed up to help, the council hopes to cover up to 60 locations and is looking for more willing volunteers.

“The borough council has no responsibility for treating these roads, so we are giving our residents the wherewithal to help themselves,” said Cllr Dawson, who used part of his annual discretionary community budget as a borough councillor to fund a successful pilot scheme on the Lakes Estate in Frodsham last year.

Some councillors said they had “mixed feelings” about the scheme as the town council will have no responsibility for any accidents or incidents involving volunteers or failure to spread the grit.

Cllr Dawson said he trusted residents would “act reasonably”, with Cllr Lynn Riley adding: “This is a real local solution to a big problem common to us all and a huge opportunity to engage with the community.”

Cllr Graham Bondi said: “I have some misgivings, but the only way to resolve these is to give it a try and see how it goes.”

If you want to volunteer to be part of the scheme, contact town clerk Ian Hope, on 01928 735150.