Winter Road Maintenance in Leipzig
Approximately thirty percent of Leipzig's 1,750 kilometres of roadway is maintained in winter by the city's road maintenance department. The department is tasked with keeping Leipzig's main traffic arteries, the city's most hazardous streets, clear and safe for drivers.
In addition to these main thoroughfares, winter maintenance is also provided to other critical areas of the city, including 365 intersections and pedestrian crosswalks, 124 pedestrian bridges,135 light-controlled pedestrian crossings, as well as nine pedestrian tunnels. In addition, approximately 21 km of snow fences are erected at 46 separate drift-prone locations. The Department of Sanitation, under whose authority the majority of the winter road maintenance falls, carries out these duties in accordance with established legal guidelines.
Building Owners Must Also Do Their Part
Winter maintenance regulations require that also building owners ensure that sidewalks and combined pedestrian-bicycle ways are cleared and/or gritted when necessary. Experience has shown that icy sidewalks and bike lanes in winter are a source of many complaints. Therefore, a few reminders:
The moment the snow has stopped falling, it's time to grab the broom or shovel. If snow continues to fall until after 8:00pm, the sidewalks and combined pedestrian-bikeways, as well as tram/bus stop shelters must be cleared and/or the ice treated by no later than 7:00am from Mon.-Sat., and by 8:00am on Sundays and holidays.
For treating ice, the only permitted materials are gravel, sand and granular anti-ice products. The use of salt to thaw the ice is allowed only in special circumstances, e.g., on wheelchair ramps.
Ignoring Winter Maintenance Can Be Costly
Building owners who fail to provide adequate winter maintenance can be given a citation, and be required to pay a fine of up to EUR 500.
In the event that inadequate winter maintenance is the cause of a personal injury, the injured party may file a complaint of bodily injury. In addition, a civil case may be filed against the building's owner for reimbursement of medical treatment costs and/or other damages.