Brrr! If you’ve been in northern Germany recently, you’ll know it’s been a bone-chilling winter. Berlin and Hamburg, in particular, have been battling some seriously icy conditions. We’re talking pavements so slippery they’ve turned everyday walks into a perilous adventure, especially for our older citizens and those with mobility challenges.
Normally, German cities are quite particular about their de-icing methods. For years, there’s been a strict ban on using salt on pavements. Why? Well, it’s not just about keeping things neat; salt can be really tough on local plant life and even damage concrete over time. It’s an environmental and infrastructural decision that’s usually taken very seriously.
But this winter is different. Hamburg has seen what’s likely its coldest January since 2010, and Berlin is also facing “extreme weather conditions with freezing rain and ongoing frost.” The ice sheets and compacted snow have become too dangerous to ignore, creating widespread hazards for pedestrians.
That’s why, in a rare move, both Berlin and Hamburg have temporarily lifted their salt bans! City officials made it clear: public safety is the top priority. “We want everyone to be able to get around the city safely,” stated Hamburg’s transport official, Anjes Tjarks, emphasizing concern for vulnerable groups. Berlin’s transport minister, Ute Bonde, echoed this, confirming they’re using all available resources to tackle the slick conditions.
For the next couple of weeks, you might see salt spreaders out again, working to make those treacherous paths walkable. It’s a temporary measure, a strategic retreat from the usual green policy, all in the name of keeping people safe on the icy streets.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/berlin-hamburg-lift-salt-bans-154330706.html
