Many are reluctant to grit the paths themselves because the law says this would make them liable should any accidents occur.

Last week Annalisa Boni was left badly hurt after falling near Abbey Medical Centre in Station Road.

The 36-year-old was trying to avoid the slippery pavements by walking along the road - but she did not realise it was covered in black ice.

She said: "I was lying in the middle of the road for about ten minutes as I had banged my head and hurt my back."

Miss Boni, who lives in Chestnut Avenue, was with her mother at the time. She believes more action should be taken to clear pavements and side roads in the town and added: "Something needs to be done.

"There are two medical centres near there and it is also the main route for drivers using the Abbey End car park.

"It's hard to believe all the council tax they charge and they are only gritting main roads and bus routes."

Pat Barker, who runs School Lane Fish and Chip Shop, said: "We are not responsible for it because if somebody slips up and we have cleaned the snow away, we are liable.

"The system is wrong. We have just left it and it is dangerous."

High Street business Becks Butchers used to grit the outside of its premises during wintry spells but stopped a few years ago after being sent a letter from the county council saying it should not be doing so.

Shop manager Graham Bolton said: "Last week it was like a skating rink.

"Fortunately one of our customers was a friend of a county councillor so he got them to come and clear it.

"The council should automatically grit the pavements - we feel helpless, but our hands are tied. We are a business at the end of the day."

Paths alongside Kenilworth schools were also left untreated. Katherine Pettman, administrative assistant at Clinton Primary School in Caesar Road, said: "We are leaving the pavement as it is because we do not have the manpower or equipment to clear it.

"The children are wearing wellies and everyone is sensible."

Liz Bradbury, headteacher at Thorns Infants School in Blackthorn Road, said: "The caretaker spends quite a considerable amount of time clearing the paths within the school, but it's not our responsibility to do it outisde the school grounds."

Kenilworth town and Warwick district councillor Michael Coker (Con, Kenilworth Abbey) said: "The county council has been concentrating on keeping the roads clear - I don't think they have got the capability to clear the pavements as well. I do think they are doing their level best.
"Obviously I appreciate traders' concerns.

"I wish I knew the answer but unfortunately people just have to be careful."

A county council spokesman explained that traders clearing pavements could be sued if they do not do the job properly.

He said: "Shopkeepers could be liable if they cleared snow but exacerbated the situation by leaving underlying ice."

For further updates on the council's gritting situation, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk