Rain is currently battering large parts of the Midlands, including the county of Herefordshire as the region prepares to welcome the first named storm of the year, Goretti.
Those with disabilities or mobility issues, myself included are going struggle when attempting to get out and about on the pavement network’s in the region which are of course are managed and maintained by local authorities and not Highway’s England
In recent years I have lobbied my local authority regarding the gritting of the pavement network on the counties roads, 2019 saw me take my plea onto ITV News Central when I spoke to one of there correspondents about the fact that I am at risk of becoming trapped at home when serve weather incidents hit.
This is because I live on a private drive that doesn’t get gritted as it is down to the residents to do this. 
My local authority have continually said during these types of incidents that ” it is not possible to grit all roads and footpaths in Herefordshire as part of our winter service operations”.
I believe that it is possible for the local authority to grit some of the footpaths in the county especially ones that are frequented by those with mobility issues or disabilities.
My message to the local authority is a clear but simple one and is this, please, please, please consider gritting footpaths in the county which are used by the vulnerable (the elderly and those with disabilities/mobility issues) on a regular basis, who are of course most at risk of having an accident. 
There have been times in recent years where I have, as a wheelchair user nearly slid off pavements and into a the path of oncoming vehicles because I have hit a piece of untreated pavement.
As as wheelchair user this can be a frightening experience that I do not want to repeat anytime in the future.
If you have relatives or neighbours who may struggle to get out and about during the next 24 hours or so because the weather conditions, please consider checking in on them at regular intervals as they may not have access to food/water or be able to keep warm.
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Stay safe out there, everyone
Cam
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