City unites to share tactics for navigating frost

Slippery city streets sparked debate among Dunedin residents about the best method of keeping two feet firmly on the ground.

Wearing socks over shoes was the clear winner, while other manoeuvres, including the "fence cling", were also advised.

MetService meteorologist Alain Baillie said Dunedin city recorded a minimum temperature of 2.7°C at 8am yesterday.

Waitati, meanwhile, sat at a crisp -1.3°C.

But it was Mosgiel which reached the lowest temperature of the day with -5.5°C, also at 8am.

Oncoming frontal cloud and northerly winds over the next two or three days meant it was "unlikely" the city would see similar temperatures for the rest of the week, he said.

After capturing pedestrians skittering down ice-covered footpaths, the Otago Daily Times yesterday put out the call on social media for methods to navigate the city’s icy streets.

One commenter suggested walking on the edge of the footpath, in addition to wearing woollen socks over shoes.

Another said leaning the body forward and keeping your weight above your feet could prevent falling when walking downhill.

One person recommended the "fence-cling" and "gutter trail".

Others said to avoid ice-covered streets altogether, or walk on grass.

"I can’t even walk properly on a good day," one person said.

"Any sherpas I can employ?" another asked.

Even the Dunedin City Council chimed in.

"A pair of old socks over your shoes can be a big help!", transport group manager Jeanine Benson said.

The council was aware of several minor crashes in yesterday morning’s frosty conditions, she said.

Its contractors were patrolling roads the night before — as they did every winter — applying grit or de-icing chemicals where needed.

"The focus is on main roads first, followed by streets connecting to main roads, but our contractors can’t be everywhere at once and most residential streets are not gritted.

"While gritting and de-icing can help reduce the impact of ice, they won’t prevent you taking a slide, so it’s important to drive carefully and to the conditions and keep an eye out for icy spots."

At least three cars were involved in a crash in Heriot Row yesterday morning — one appearing to have crashed through the fence of a neighbouring property.

Castle St Panelbeaters co-owner Nigel Constable said staff had received about 15 ice-related claims since last week — about half of which came in yesterday.

He confirmed two of the cars involved in the Heriot Row crash were brought to them for repair.

"I think it’s definitely going to be a bit of a different winter than we had last year."

tim.scott@odt.co.nz