Review could mean removal of nearly 500 grit bins

Dudley Council is to consider removing nearly 500 grit bins in a bid to cut spending on winter maintenance.

The authority’s cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, Cllr Simon Phipps and Nick McGurk, group director of communities and growth, have signed an order confirming the changes.

The council will carry out a review on a risk and usage basis of around 200 bins within 25m of the road on a highways gritting route as part of the changes.

Notes on the decision to carry out the review said: “Winter Maintenance overall is seeing a general reduction in maintenance activities through the winter period. 

“Officers recognise that long standing methods, procedures, and services no longer meet the demands of the service and are costly additions to a very comprehensive Winter Maintenance Service.

“There are also a large proportion of grit bins that are currently situated within 25m of a gritting route which quite clearly would not be used or be needed to be refilled due to the proximity of a gritting route.” 

Also as part of the plan to streamline the £676,000 Dudley spends on winter maintenance the council will also review bins that are no longer used or have been vandalised and around 270 bins which have been full of salt for the last three winters will be removed.

The notes with the decision said: “One area that has seen a considerable decline in use is grit bins by members of the public to help salt local highways. This reduction is as a result of milder winters and general social behaviour changes.”

The council keeps a stock of around 3,500 tonnes of grit for use on roads by its eight gritting lorries.

Under the order signed by Cllr Phipps and Mr McGurk in September 2025, around 350 grit bins which are expected to remain in use will be filled using salt reclaimed from bins taken out of use.