Freeze sparks a rush for grit bins
The big freeze has sparked hundreds of requests for new grit bins across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, it emerged today.
The big freeze has sparked hundreds of requests for new grit bins across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, it emerged today.
Meanwhile some local authorities have announced that due to the national salt shortage they are unable to refill existing grit bins at present.
Since October Staffordshire County Council has received 372 requests for new grit bins including 73 in South Staffordshire and 66 in Cannock. There have also been complaints about existing bins not being refilled. Across the patch it has 1,200 bins and 1,200 tonnes of salt.
In a recent letter to parish councils, highways group manager Wayne Mortiboys, said: "Due to the national salt shortage we do not have sufficient stock to replenish existing grit bins at present. The office is currently inundated with requests for new grit bins, many of which will fail to meet the criteria. The teams are very busy ensuring that the network is kept in a safe condition and will be undertaking grit bin assessments over the coming months."
Dudley Council has installed 100 extra grit bins across the borough during the cold snap and is refilling bins when they become empty, resources permitting.
Assistant director of the urban environment, Matt Williams, said: "Given the national restrictions on salt we are managing grit bins accordingly . The priority lies with the primary route network but we have not stopped refilling bins."
Meanwhile Wolverhampton Council aims to replenish grit bins either the same day or the following day. It currently holds a salt stock of 357 tonnes.
Across the city there are 159 grit bins and since last November has received 48 requests for new ones of which 19 have been agreed.
A spokesman, Tim Clark, said: "In order to ensure the fair allocation of grit bins, there is a strict assessment process and each site must achieve a certain score to qualify.
"We only hold a small number of grit bins in stock and these are to replace existing ones which may be damaged or stolen. So unless there are exceptional circumstances, new grit bins need to be ordered and will be fitted in time for next winter."
In Sandwell grit bins are still being refilled and the council says its current salt stock is 400 tonnes.
It has received 90 requests for new bins since the start of the winter season.
Thieves resorted to stealing grit bins and their contents during the severe cold snap as supplies dwindled in Walsall.
Yellow bins disappeared from streets such as Roberts Road at the junction of Halford Crescent in Coalpool and Aldridge Road in Streetly.
The roadside bins are located at 170 sites across the borough and Councillor Tom Ansell today said that the stolen bins were being replaced.
