To not have cleared my front path of snow?

[Justmuddlingalong]

We live on the east coast of Scotland, so snow is rare and for it to lie is even rarer.
We have about 2 inches of snow, which I haven't cleared from the front path. The front garden has a gate, a straight, flat path about 8 feet long leading to the front door.
I had an email from Amazon this morning to say that the Royal Mail had been unable to deliver my (very small, would fit through the letterbox) parcel because "the front door/driveway was not accessible."
I've cleared it now, but as snow's so unusual here, I would like to throw open voting to ask AIBU to expect my post to be delivered even though my garden path has a covering of fluffy white snow?

Lots of snow where I am over the last 2 weeks - no issues with deliveries from any of the couriers

I knew a postie that slipped on a cleared drive and successfully sued the home owner, apparently it looked clear but was icy so they were at fault - if they had not cleared it and he had slipped it would have been obvious it was slippery and he could not have sued, therefore I never clear mine

Another parcel was successfully delivered by royal mail this afternoon, so it would appear that the path is now suitably cleared. The original parcel is still out there somewhere. I was impressed that despite the sub zero temperature, the postman was still wearing his shorts. Hypothermia is obviously less of a worry than slipping on a flat snowy surface.

Our post is delayed due to a covid outbreak in our local sorting office. Lots of people receiving these 'inaccessible' messages. Someone posted on the local Facebook site that they don't have a 'we have covid/we are understaffed/staff couldn't get here because of snow' reason to choose on delayed deliveries so they just say inaccessible. Could that be possible OP?

Never crossed my mind to clear the path for deliverers; they all managed.

I clear and salt the steps to our front door and post box.Had a big food shop delivered and think the delivery drivers have a bad enough job without sliding about on an icy path.

Is it possible that there could be ice at the bottom of the fresh snow, due to a previous snow fall?

Our postie was out in Tuesdays heavy snow merrily doing his rounds in his shorts ( I might've felt so sorry for him I offered him trousers ) while we were trying to clear our street.

We now have at least a foot of snow in the untouched bits and still getting post. The roads are mostly compacted hard snow and paths are cleared to the best of everyone's ability but it's still pretty slippy/treacherous.....and today in -12 the guy was still wearing his shorts

I suppose the generic message could make sense. They managed to deliver one parcel, but not the other or any actual letters. I understand they're probably short-staffed with people off sick or isolating, but without a card, I can't go up to the sorting office to collect it. Haven't had any post since last weekend come to think of it.

I'd think fresh snow would be safer to walk in than a cleared path that could turn to ice. Or is that just my preference.

@Tavannach

I'd clear the path. If the postman slips on your path and injures himself aren't you liable?

I thought if you cleared the path and they were injured you were liable because your actions (clearing the path) had led to the accident.

If it’s not cleared, it’s counted as an ‘act of god’ because you can’t control the weather.

Yes but if you use rock salt it doesn't ice over. Anyway we do it to make it safer for ourselves anyway.And only reasonable posties and delivery drivers should get easy access.

Snow is great until it turns to ice then it becomes a hazard. I clear my driveway for my family firstly as it's on a slope and I have fell over in the past

If you had time on your hands and a shovel I would have cleared it if I was you rather than it become a hazard

I'm very surprised when you had so little. We had a lot more than that and I saw the posties delivering today.

I cleared it from my path though, quite easily as it's lovely dry snow.

If you leave a thin layer like that it could well become very icy.

I keep a bag of salt in the house at all times just for this, to make sure the path doesn't get icy.

We have been clearing and gritting our path and the pavement outside our house daily this week. We are very lucky to have the time and health to do our bit, so we do, along with in front of various neighbours' depending on whether they can manage, how much extra time we have, whether anyone else has done it etc. Personally, I do think people who can do the bit in front of their property should, as it makes such a difference for others, especially those with mobility difficulties. Not everyone can manage, for a whole load of reasons, so all the more reason for those of us who can to do so.

West Coast here! How ridiculous - we had ours delivered fine and I didn't shovel the path because it looks glorious! As you say, we don't get a lot plus this time it was lovely and powdery to walk on, not slippy and not too deep!

@emmathedilemma

The fluffy snow is fine to walk on. If you clear it and don't grit or clear every last spec of snow then it's worse than the fluffy stuff because it freezes.

Yes, this!! Some of my neighbours had cleared bits of the pavement and honestly? It was worse - I'm 6 months pregnant too so I walked on the thick pile that was left at the other side!