Berlin's icy sidewalk crisis sparks outrage over slow response

Frozen pavements turn deadly as Berlin's leaders scramble to justify their sluggish response. Will fines and fines alone fix this winter chaos?

, and Administrator

2026 February 2 . 5:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a bustling street in Berlin, Germany, with a large number of taxis parked on the... — The image shows a bustling street in Berlin, Germany, with a large number of taxis parked on the side of the road. There are people walking on the sidewalk, light poles lining the street, and trees and buildings in the background. In the distance, there is an arch with statues and a tower, and the sky is filled with clouds.

Ice Sheet in Berlin - Criticism of the Senate Increases - Berlin's icy sidewalk crisis sparks outrage over slow response

Criticism is mounting in Berlin over the city's slow response to icy sidewalks. Many residents and officials have accused authorities of failing to act quickly enough. The issue has sparked calls for better planning and stricter enforcement of snow clearance rules.

The municipal cleaning service, BSR, provided extra grit to districts but faced complaints for acting too late. Landlords and businesses have also been accused of neglecting their snow and ice clearance duties. This has left many pavements dangerously slippery.

Steffen Krach of the SPD blamed Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Transport Senator Ute Bonde for reacting too late. He suggested the current system may need changes to handle such situations more effectively. Elif Eralp from the Left Party demanded faster support for districts, heavier fines for negligent landlords, and the deployment of the Technical Relief Agency (THW) to assist with snow removal.

Saskia Ellenbeck of the Green Party urged the Senate to take quicker, coordinated action. Meanwhile, no official data exists on THW deployments in Berlin for sidewalk clearing, though the agency has been active in other regions.

The debate highlights ongoing concerns about Berlin's winter preparedness. Without clearer plans or faster responses, icy sidewalks could remain a persistent hazard. Officials now face pressure to improve coordination and enforcement before the next cold snap.