Winter service in Erlangen

Public grit bins

The city of Erlangen provides citizens with public grit bins at selected locations. The following link will take you to the respective locations.

Map of public grit bins

Road salt and people:

It is seemingly convenient: simply sprinkle salt and the slippery surface disappears without the tedious scraping of ice. However, salt solutions only really develop their de-icing effect when they are worked into the ice and snow. Irrespective of this, salt damages porous and cracked road surfaces during the thaw/freeze period! New surfaces cost money unnecessarily and can hardly be financed in view of the public financial difficulties.

Road salt and animals:

As dog and cat owners know, animals' paws take a battering. It can only be assumed that road salt also has an effect on wild animals, but this has not (yet) been researched.

Road salt and plants:

Salt solutions have an altering effect on the soil structure, which is detrimental to most woody plants - especially street trees. In addition, direct contact with salt water has a decomposing effect on the bark of woody plants, allowing salt ions to penetrate. An accumulation of salt components in the plant tissue has a toxic effect and impairs thickness growth. A visible sign of salt damage to trees is discoloration of the leaves from the edges.

Safeguarding the pavements in the event of snow, frost or ice is to be carried out throughout the city in accordance with the "Ordinance on the maintenance and cleaning of public roads and the safeguarding of pavements in winter in the city of Erlangen" as amended on 16.03.1984.

According to §§ 9 and 10 of this ordinance, the owners of properties that border on public roads within the built-up area or are accessed through them are obliged to keep the pavements in a safe condition at their own expense. They must clear the pavements of snow on working days from 7.00 a.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 8.00 a.m. and, in the event of slippery snow, frost or ice, grit them with sand or other suitable materials, but not with salt or other corrosive substances, or remove the ice.

These safety measures must be repeated by 8 p.m. as often as is necessary to prevent danger to life, health, property or possessions. The cleared snow or ice residue (debris) must be stored next to the pavement in such a way that traffic is not endangered or impeded. Drainage channels, hydrants, manholes and crosswalks must be kept clear when clearing snow.

In the case of a corner property, the area to be secured extends to the entire part of the pavement surrounding the corner property.

Sidewalks within the meaning of the ordinance are

1. the paved and demarcated parts of public roads intended for pedestrian traffic, including shared cycle paths and footpaths within the meaning of § 41 Para. 2 No. 5 StVO or
2. in the absence of such paving or demarcation, the parts serving pedestrian traffic at the edge of the public roads with a width of 1.5 m measured from the road property boundary.

No or inadequate securing may not only result in a fine, but may also lead to liability for compensation in the event of damage.