Decorative footpaths can cause an ugly fall

THE cold weather has exposed the fact that recently laid cement footpaths, with their decorative circular indentations, are dangerous in icy conditions. Rain or melted frost lodges in the indentations and because the temperature is low, it is very slow to evaporate.

In freezing weather, it expands and coats the pavement with a layer of ice. This is difficult to see because it is transparent. Long after the road surface is free of ice, and it appears to be safe to venture out, the pavements remain dangerous.

By 9.30am on Christmas Day the roads in Cobh were reasonably safe to use, but when our church warden went to open the gates of Christchurch, Rushbrooke, he fell four times on the slippery pavement. I arrived soon afterwards, went to his assistance and fell twice.