dpa | In the discussion about the use of road salt on icy Berlin sidewalks, there is still criticism of the black-red Senate. “At first the CDU and SPD didn’t recognize the problem and then just caused chaos. To the chagrin of the Berliners who are sliding through Berlin and seriously injuring themselves,” said Green party leader Werner Graf at the weekend.
Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) unexpectedly announced on Friday, contrary to her earlier arguments, that a general decree she had issued should now allow the use of de-icing agents such as road salt on sidewalks in Berlin.
Salt is considered a particularly effective spreading agent. However, environmentalists warn against its use. According to the environmental organization BUND, salt harms the soil, plants, animals and water. While the state of Berlin now also relies on road salt, in Brandenburg the municipalities decide on its use. In Potsdam, use is only permitted in exceptional cases, such as in freezing rain and in particularly dangerous places, such as very steep paths.
Green politician Graf also criticizes that it has long been clear that the existing regulations for winter service do not work. “We already demanded a month ago that the sidewalks and cycle paths must be cleared centrally in the event of snow and black ice in the future,” said Graf. The Greens had suggested that Berlin City Cleaning (BSR) should gradually take over winter maintenance on sidewalks. However, the BSR rejected this.
BSR is now supporting the districts
However, the Senate Department for Transport and Environment has now announced that the BSR will support the districts in clearing snow and ice in view of the ongoing winter weather. Among other things, the BSR will provide the road and green space authorities with grit such as grit and, if necessary, appropriate clearing tools.
The transport and environmental administration and the BSR have also offered the district offices that the BSR would be commissioned to support the public order offices in selected locations in removing slippery ice. This applies in particular to schools, daycare centers and senior citizens’ facilities, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies, local supply locations such as supermarkets and shopping centers as well as access routes to subway, tram, S-Bahn and bus stops.
In addition, employees from the road and green spaces authorities, who are otherwise responsible for other activities, are supposed to support their respective districts these days with the danger to life and limb posed by the ice. According to the transport administration, the personnel law requirements should be created for this.
According to the information, Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) and representatives of her administration agreed on these measures on Friday with the district roads and green spaces authorities, the BSR, the water companies and the Berlin Forests. Another round of voting on joint action is planned for Monday.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), it will remain frosty and wintry in Berlin and Brandenburg in the next few days: temperatures in the double-digit minus range are possible on the two nights of Sunday and Monday.