If it snows this winter, Angela Booth will spring into action. So will Yasser Taj.

The pair are among dozens of people across the Bradford district who have volunteered to be snow wardens and lend a hand to keep their local streets clear of snow and ice during periods of bad weather.

Angela, of Thornton, and Yasser, of West Bowling, are keen to take up their duties, along with others from their neighbourhoods.

“There is a bad hill near our house with two nasty bends at the top, and when it snows it becomes quite nasty,” says Angela. “If it’s icy you can end up sliding down sideways in the car, which can be a frightening experience.”

She adds: “Gritters have sometimes got stuck and struggle to get along the road as cars are parked there. Drivers have abandoned vehicles and there have been accidents due to bad weather conditions.”

Local residents have in the past got together to tackle the problem, and now a number of them have banded together to become members of a snow warden team.

“I think it is a great idea,” says Angela. “We are given resources such as grit and shovels which we have previously funded from our own pockets. We can keep the bends clear and the traffic moving.”

Bradford Council launched its snow warden pilot scheme this year. Already meeting with success in other areas of the country, the Council asks teams of volunteers to come forward to help to clear snow in their local areas. Their efforts can help to ensure that pavements, walkways and steps, as well as local lanes, are less of a hazard in bad weather.

“We are protected under the Council’s insurance liability too,” adds Angela.

The Council is asking for volunteers to work as a team and concentrate on areas that are important to their community.

“This could be a community centre, high street, routes to schools or areas where elderly or vulnerable residents live,” says Louise McCall, divisional manager for highways maintenance with Bradford Council.

“We are targeting groups such as parish councils, community councils and residents’ associations – groups who are used to organising themselves, and are ready and willing to have a go. Many have already come forward. We are pleased with the response.”

She adds: “In bad winter weather we always receive a lot of calls from people asking if we can come out to grit community areas, such as paths up to and around community halls where events are being held, routes to schools or places of worship. Our main priority is keeping roads open, and we thought that if community groups were willing to help, we would provide them with the equipment they need.”

The proposal to create teams of snow wardens was raised at community gatherings across the district such as neighbourhood forums, and information was passed on through ward councillors.

The teams decide which areas are important and agree this with the Council. They are then provided with resources to do the job. These include grit, shovels, high-visibility vests and a container for the grit if secure storage is not available. Volunteers also attend a session in health and safety. They will not be told when to clear snow, but the Council can warn them when snow might be expected and which areas may be a priority.

Council officers spoke to other local authorities who have the scheme in place. Last year Wakefield Council ran the scheme for the first time and is recruiting around 300 more volunteers this year.

Louise aims to recruit around 50 groups this year. “Those who have come forward range from three to ten or more people in each group,” she says.

Yasser Taj is keen to lend a hand, along with other volunteers from Parkside, West Bowling. “There are many areas on the estate that are not gritted, such as side roads and cul-de-sacs, as well as slippery corners that can become very hazardous in icy weather.”

Twelve people have signed up to join the team, which will receive updates on the weather conditions from Bradford Council.

“We will be kept informed through text messages,” adds Yasser, who is chairman of Parkside Residents’ Association.

“Gritters cannot get everywhere, and for those local areas that need attention during bad weatherm we are ready to help.”