Snow Removal Of Roads And Sidewalks: Who To Call In France?

Removing snow from roads and sidewalks is a set of activities requiring different people’s intervention. These people intervene according to certain defined conditions. Who are they? What are these conditions? Who is responsible for clearing snow from roads and sidewalks?

General information on snow removal from roads and sidewalks

Clearing snow from roads and sidewalks is an activity that anyone can do, depending on the type of road involved. Indeed, it is not only the responsibility of the municipal authorities to take care of this task but also the population itself, which can sometimes be asked to take care of road maintenance.

In addition, there are companies that offer snow removal services for roads and sidewalks, and they have the right personnel and equipment to carry out this work:

• • Public authorities such as town halls, ministries, and departmental services

• • Private individuals, including residents and populations in need of the services of these companies

Those responsible for snow removal on roads and sidewalks

Several people are responsible for the maintenance of roads and sidewalks in the event of snow.

City Halls

The town halls guarantee the safety and convenience of passage in the streets and public ways. This does not imply that they must take charge of all road maintenance operations, including snow removal. Some work is not within the scope of its duties, such as work related to excavations.

In order to carry out snow removal on roads and sidewalks, City Councils deploy officers to the field. These officers may work in conjunction with departmental officers.

Departmental officers

Some departmental agents are authorized to remove snow on roads and sidewalks. They take charge of the maintenance of certain road facilities, such as bitumen roads. These agents work under the orders of the departmental council.

Residents

Residents are also responsible for the maintenance of roads and may be responsible for snow removal operations. Generally, they take care of the portions of sidewalks that are located in front of their homes.

Farmers

Farmers are also called upon to participate in road-clearing operations. The local authorities provide them with the necessary equipment to carry out this task. However, farmers may use their own equipment.

Service providers

Service providers specializing in road maintenance are usually private companies. They are involved in work related to road development, such as road grading.

Snow removal conditions for roads and sidewalks

The removal of snow from roads and sidewalks is not done randomly. In fact, this maintenance work is entrusted to those in charge according to the type of road to be cleared. Therefore, three types of facilities are distinguished.

Departmental roads

Departmental roads are entrusted to two different authorities. They are the town hall and the departmental council. Together they carry out the snow removal work on these roads. The tasks can be divided to make the work more efficient.

Private roads

Private roads are facilities that are not necessarily cleared by municipal services. Generally, the maintenance of these roads is entrusted to the residents. This is often done on the basis of a by-law, and they must go to the town hall for more information, as in the case of a request for a demolition permit.

Rural roads

Rural roads cannot always be cleared with the large equipment of the town hall. Therefore, they are often taken care of by local farmers. In addition, they can take a back seat.

Those responsible for clearing snow from roads and sidewalks are defined according to the type of road. These include city and county officials, private companies, local residents, and farmers.

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