The Waitaki District Council is to get a grip on slippery footpaths over the next few weeks.
It is undertaking a spraying programme in Palmerston and Oamaru's South Hill and North End to get rid of lichen which during winter months makes some footpaths slippery.
While concentrating initially on three areas, the programme would be extended to other problem areas in the Waitaki District over time, Roading network engineer Ting Ge said.
Spraying will start on Monday and will take about six weeks to complete.
Mr Ge said the council had performed a similar eradication trial in 2008 which had resulted in safer walking surfaces and longer life expectancy of the footpath.
The spray to be used was Wet and Forget, which was non-toxic to humans and pets and was not expected to damage grass.
"We do recommend avoiding any direct contact with the footpath immediately after treatment." Results were expected three to six months after treatment.
The treatment worked best when it received a light sprinkle of water every few weeks, so the council asked residents to occasionally sprinkle the path with a hose if there was a dry spell.
