A dad was branded a "local hero" after taking action on the hazardous icy pathways.
Freezing temperatures and icy conditions have been wreaking havoc in Merseyside communities in recent days. And the cold weather is likely to continue as a weather warning has been put in place for ice and snow in the region this weekend.
But after seeing an elderly woman slipping over on the ice near Ashurst Primary School in St Helens, and several mums struggling with their prams, one dad immediately sprang into action. Driving to B&Q, Minty Webb purchased bags of rock salt before gritting the pathways on route to the school, bracing the freezing weather conditions.
READ MORE: Terrifying video shows ten people sliding on icy Sefton Park lake
He told the ECHO he wanted parents and children to be safe on the school run as nothing had been done and people were "ice skating" to school. He added: "Hundreds of people walk there dropping their kids off and for three or four days it hadn't been cleared.
"I was helping people with prams and watching people slip. An old woman had fallen over and I just thought something needs doing because no-one else was doing it.
"I got the grit salt, left it for an hour and then scraped it and for the last few days it's been fine. It was more for older people taking their grandkids to school. Luckily the old woman was okay, I helped her and made sure she was but I wouldn't like to see someone get hurt.
"I've left some rock salt bags there as well because there's just nothing there. We need a yellow bin outside the school so people can use it and help themselves but there was nothing around here, I had to go out myself and sort it."
Mr Webb himself had suffered an injury after falling down a sinkhole, meaning he has been out of work while he recovers with his knee. Worried he could do further damage to himself, he told the ECHO the messages of thanks have come pouring in. He said: "People have been commenting on my post telling me it's helped them.
"And that's great. People saying we need more like you and others have been doing their streets. I just wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt."
Many people have since been commenting on Mr Webb's work as he has been branded a "local hero". But Mr Webb said: "I was shocked really. It was only three or four hours out of my time."
The ECHO previously asked St Helens Council on its gritting situation where they confirmed gritting teams cover primary routes such as bus routes, emergency service areas, roads on significant hills and known trouble spots.
However, once the priority network of roads is clear, action may then be taken on minor routes in the event of extreme and prolonged icy conditions. Grit bins are also available in residential areas.
St Helens Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Andy Bowden, said: "Our winter maintenance team deserve a huge amount of credit for the exceptional job they do every year, working all hours and in very challenging conditions to ensure our highways are safe for road users.
"Sadly, it is not possible to cover our entire road network - therefore we always advise residents and businesses across the borough to plan journeys accordingly, utilising the main arterial routes wherever possible."
The full route map can be found here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Terrifying video shows ten people sliding on icy Sefton Park lake
EncroChat thug 'Stealthy' boasted of 'mint wages' from heroin and guns trade
West Derby bistro in running for North West's best takeaway
Mercedes van sealed off after being found on fire in road
Burglar who targeted Raheem Sterling's mansion has home taken away
