Perryman - if you read the above posts and advice carefully, you will see that there are two important steps:

1. Clear the snow
2. Sprinkle the cleared area with salt to prevent the formation of ice.

This is done in every city around the world where there is regular snow and it is done by private individuals - they are breaking the law if they don't clear the snow on the pavements outside their own properties and add salt to the cleared pavements.

If you add rock salt to several inches of snow, it will create slush. Almost as slippery as ice.

It IS a myth that you will be sued, even if there is a possibility that you are liable. The Law Society says solicitors will NOT take on such cases - liability is too hard to prove, and it is only worth suing people with lots of money who can a) pay any damages and b) cover legal costs of both parties.