IN Willmington, USA, they have notices on roads which state that during snowy weather, cars may only park on the right on even days and on the left on odd days.

This enables the snow ploughs and gritters to cover the whole road and as the grit is spread it covers the pavements, too. It’s a law and must be obeyed.

No need for traffic wardens, the neighbours make sure that everyone complies. People with drives and garages have to use them and keep the highway clear.

In my opinion, it’s time to stop moaning about the lack of grit. I’ve been confined to my home since Christmas as have a lot of other people purely because the pavements are unsafe for pedestrians, but the remedy is in our own hands.

Too late to take action now, maybe, but might I suggest a solution for the future: First, when plastic bags of common salt become available in the shops again, we should all buy a reasonable stock and store it in a dry place.

Next, when it snows we should all clear the pavement outside our homes and scatter salt on it.

If all the owners of terrace properties and shops in Darwen did that, it would enable folk to get about on foot and schools wouldn’t need to close. Don't worry about litigation, it’s a myth. If you maintain the salting, no-one will slip and the grit bins (which we didn’t have in ’63) can be used for the roads.

Let’s pull together and have a victory for common sense and good citizenship.

God bless my good neighbour who has been using his 4x4 and doing shopping for those unable to venture out. He’s also been keeping the road as clear as is possible.

Eileen Eastham (via email).