In Germany, private individuals generally have to clear snow in winter and grit in icy conditions – most towns and municipalities regulate where and to what extent in their own bylaws. If you live in Tübingen, you are responsible for all public traffic areas that run alongside your house.
Shoveling snow applies to everyone
Snow clearing and gritting on icy roads is the responsibility of everyone who lives in the building – regardless of whether they are tenants or homeowners. The snow clearing and gritting obligation applies primarily to sidewalks, footpaths and stretches of road. However, it also applies to other public traffic areas such as the waiting area at bus stops if they do not have a bus shelter. Homeowners or tenants must either keep the sidewalk clear or a 1.5 meter wide strip of road on the street if there is no sidewalk.
Winter service in the morning and evening
Residents must clear or grit the areas in the morning so that pedestrians can walk on them safely from 7 a.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays. If it continues to snow during the day or is slippery with snow and ice, the areas must be cleared and gritted again – by 9 pm.
Only spread salt when it is very slippery
De-icing salts or other environmentally harmful substances may only be used if it is very slippery and the slipperiness cannot be removed in any other way. Otherwise, stone chippings should be spread. The city of Tübingen has set up 19 grit piles in the city area for this purpose. Grit can be collected there free of charge at any time. See
City of Tuebingen | Winterdienst
and
City of Tuebingen | Splitthaufen
Passengers can obtain information about disruptions to the TüBus due to the weather by calling the hotline on 07071 157-157 or at https://www.tuebus.de/index.html
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The town of Pfullingen in winter. Photo: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Reem Al Sagheer.