THERE is some confusion among residents as to whether clearing a pavement of ice, as advocated by leader of the city council Mary Mears and other letter writers, could lead to claims for liability if an accident occurs.

As one who successfully claimed compensation from another council for negligence, which took four years, I would be surprised if a resident was liable in a freak weather situation.

I am in favour of civic responsibility and community spirit, as seen in many European countries, but perhaps we need some legal clarification.

Helen Waddup Hovedene Cromwell Road, Hove