HOSPITALS reported a huge increase in the number of people injured in icy falls during the cold snap, as one victim claimed more could have done to keep paths clear.

But Oxfordshire County Council last night defended its operation, saying no council in the country could treat every road and footpath.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospital’s Trust said less than 20 people were taken to the county’s A and E departments after slips and falls on icy roads in November.

But between December 13 and Christmas Day, when the snow fell and temperatures plummeted, the figure surged to 463.

In December 2009, during icy and frosty conditions more than 430 people went to casualty after tumbling on the ice.

Paul Marlow, 52, was walking in Oxpens Road, Oxford, on Christmas Day when he slipped on a week’s worth of compacted snow and ice on the pavement.

Mr Marlow, of Osney Lane, went to the John Radcliffe Hospital the following day and claimed he counted about 18 people with similar ice-related injuries.

His arm is broken in two places and will need surgery to fix.

He added: “It was ridiculous. I asked the council twice to do something about that pavement, as I knew someone would hurt themselves.

“But it ended up being me. It was just pure compacted snow and ice.

“If they know the snow and ice is coming every year, why don’t they budget for it?

“It would cost the council and health service less in the long run if they were to just do something about it.”

The county council, which is responsible for gritting roads, said it treated 1,200 miles of the county’s priority road network as and when conditions required.

But spokesman Marcus Mabberley said it was not a priority for the council to grit pavements as well.

He added: “No council in the country has the resources to salt its entire road network.

“Therefore no council would be able to treat the hundreds of miles of pavements and walkways as well.

“While the major roads have to remain our priority, we do carry out some limited salting of town centre pavements and walkways as resources allow.

“However, areas other than major shopping centres are unlikely to be treated.

“As far as possible, we also seek to ensure that grit bins in residential areas are kept topped up for communities to use, subject to resources being available.”

Mr Marlow said he was now considering launching a personal injury claim against the county council.

But Mr Mabberley said it was unlikely any claim would be successful.

He said: “It is inevitable that surfaces will occasionally become icy and slippery.

“While clearly not a desirable situation, this is the reality in every hamlet, village, town and city up and down the country and beyond.

“We would always urge motorists and pedestrians to take extra care in these conditions.

“As a result, personal injury claims relating to icy pavements are unlikely to be successful. The county council received two such claims during 2010 which were both repudiated.”