People power will be having a say in the controversy over the removal of grit bins from Dudley borough streets.
A review by Dudley Council which resulted in around 500 bins being removed sparked a wave of protest.
The borough’s Liberal Democrats started a petition on the issue in December 2025 which attracted 968 signatures and has now been handed into the authority ahead of a showdown meeting.
The council is holding an extraordinary meeting on January 29 to debate a Labour motion calling for bins to be put back.
Cllr Ryan Priest, leader of the Dudley Liberal Democrat group said: “I think what the last few weeks have shown is that the weather patterns will not comply with the best laid plans of Dudley Council
“We cannot fail our residents again by being inadequately prepared for snow and ice.
“We need to review gritting routes, reinstate missing grit bins and establish a network of volunteer snow wardens who can look after their area.”
The Lib Dems will put forward an amendment to the motion which was submitted by Dudley Labour’s deputy leader, Cllr Shaukat Ali.
Cllr Ali said: “This is about public safety, the Conservative administration must put right its wrong and restore grit bins, as this is an issue that affects residents in every ward and neighbourhood across the borough. I hope the motion will receive support from across the chamber.”
Grit bin removals were part of a winter maintenance review which was included in the budget for the current financial year and approved in February 2025 by ruling Conservative councillors with support from the Lib Dems.
Cllr Simon Phipps, Conservative cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, has already ordered a review of grit bins after senior councillors conceded the initial review may have been ‘over zealous’.
Cllr Phipps said: “No final decisions have been made on anything, including whether certain grit bins will be reinstated or not.
“I have also ordered that empty grit bins currently on the road network are refilled as necessary, rather than once a year as was previously the case.”
David Sheppard, a former councillor who has been campaigning for grit bins to be replaced in Wollaston and other areas said: “I expect none of the councillors will want to say they thought taking grit bins away was a good idea at the special meeting on Thursday.
“That said, I think residents will want to hear solutions, not finger pointing. Lets get the grit bins back, especially on steep side roads like Wolverley Avenue in Wollaston.”
The extraordinary meeting of Dudley Council to debate the Labour motion on grit bins will take place at Dudley Council House on Thursday January 29, starting at 5.30pm.
The motion says: “The council’s winter gritting programme necessarily prioritises main roads and bus routes, leaving many residential streets, pavements and known problem areas untreated.
“Grit bins have historically filled this gap, allowing residents to act quickly to make their neighbourhoods safer.
“Grit bins are not a luxury. They prevent slips, falls and accidents, help people reach work, school and medical appointments, and support vulnerable residents.
“Their removal increases the risk of injury, isolation and communities becoming cut off during severe weather.”
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