We did that last Saturday, in freezing temperatures, I though it would be too cold to do but I had to take off my coat the work made me so hot. Only real exercise I got as I don't like cycling or walking in cold weather.
I put down salt for the pedestrains and have swept it after freezes etc since and put down more salt. If people don't have snow boots they can put a pair of large socks over their shoes to prevent slipping.
I heard a Minister on the radio saying that people who cleared paths would not be liable if someone fell.
Did the same myself and also cleared the path to the door, great exercise. John Gormly was the minister in question BTW
I grew up on top of a mountain in the middle on nowhere, we got snowed in on average every 4 years, we never expected the council to grit our roads, we just got on with life. I just think the Celtic Tiger softies have unrealistic expectations. If you want your footpaths gritted, it costs money and the councils don't have it and if taxes were raised to pay for things like this, the same people would be on the whine line or txting radio shows moaning about taxes going up. Some people are never happy.