Fredericton residents frustrated with slippery sidewalks

At least six people were injured in Fredericton over New Year's weekend due to slip and fall accidents on icy streets and roadways, according to theHorizon Health Network.

Derwin Drostsays he waswasinjuredon Sunday ashe was coming off of the Westmorland Streetbridge to Fredericton's south side.

Drost, who is often seenpushing his bike with a trailer full of recyclable cans and bottles, says heslipped on the icy sidewalk,

There's a cast on the bottom side of my arm that goes from my wristup to my shoulder.- Derwin Drost, Fredericton resident

"My feet went right out from underneath me," he said. "My arm bent backwards ...I grabbed my wrist to pull it forward and pop it back in place ... there's a cast on the bottom side of my arm that goes from my wrist, up to my shoulder," he said.

Drost, 53, says he lives on a disability pension of $570a month, which hesupplements with his daily haul of empties. With his arm out of commission, he says he'sworried.

"My rent's paid today. And I have to get some empties in so I can put money in my bank account for next month, and I have a hydro bill that's got to be paid," he said.

Drostsayscity crewscould have easily cleaned the sidewalks during the mild temperatures over theweekend.

Krista Parsons was alsonegotiating the sidewalks on Sunday and she says she feelsthe same way.

"I have my two little boys, Bentley and Ashton, and the sidewalks are awful to walk with them," Parsons said.

Mike Walker,manager of streets and roads in Fredericton,says his workers monitor the sidewalks as best they can.

"The sidewalks are plowed after a storm. When the temperature goes up and down, the snow can become loose again. We don't plow our sidewalks to create a bare sidewalk, the sidewalks will be snow packed, and as the temperatures change, that can affect the condition of the sidewalk," Walker said.

He also said sidewalks are plowed inbetweenstorms and freezes, but doesn't know why some weren't in this case.

After complaints abouticy downtown streets in previous years, the city is running a pilot project to salt the downtown sidewalks. All other sidewalks get sand.