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Pärnu Abandons Salt De-Icing After Public Survey Mandate
Following a two-week survey where over 500 residents overwhelmingly chose granite grit, Pärnu city authorities have reversed a recent practice and instructed their maintenance partner to cease using salt for de-icing sidewalks.
- —Over half a thousand residents participated in a two-week survey in Pärnu regarding sidewalk maintenance, with a majority preferring granite grit over salt for de-icing.
- —The survey, initiated by Pärnu City Council Chairman Andrei Korobeinik, offered three options for de-icing: granite grit only, salt in critical areas only, or salt on all sidewalks and pathways.
- —The results showed 387 respondents favored using only granite grit, 119 preferred salt in critical spots, and 23 supported wider salt usage.
- —Pärnu city authorities have decided to follow the survey's outcome, instructing their road maintenance partner to use only granite grit for sidewalk de-icing.
- —The city will also organize a new road maintenance tender and continue discussions with experts on additional solutions for slippery conditions.
Recap
Pärnu's pivot to granite grit is a clear instance of local government yielding to a direct public mandate, prioritizing environmental sentiment over the perceived effectiveness of salt. While framed as responsive governance, the decision forces officials to find new ways to manage the inherent safety risks of a less potent de-icing agent, effectively trading a chemical solution for a more complex operational challenge.