We provide grit bins at selected locations around the county.
You can use the grit on the road, pavements and other public footways but not for treating private property. Misuse of the grit can lead to unnecessary shortages that can cause a danger to pedestrians and motorists.
If you require grit or salt for your own property, it can be bought from major builders' merchants or large garden centres.
Report a damaged or missing grit bin
How we decide where to place grit bins
We provide grit bins for locations that are not on the priority salting routes and would not normally receive immediate help during severe weather or snow. We prioritise locations that have:
- difficult road junctions
- slopes
- acute bends
- large numbers of pedestrians The full criteria for providing grit bins can be found in our Winter Service Policy.
How to use the grit
Use a spade or shovel to spread the grit thinly and evenly across the road or pavement. A shovel full of grit will be sufficient to treat 20-30 square metres.
Filling grit bins
Our policy is to only fill each bin once a year, ahead of the winter season. This is to ensure that we can prioritise our funding and resources for other winter maintenance activities.
Requests for new grit bins
Please note that new grit bins can only be requested by local organisations.
Town or parish councils wishing to place their own bin on the highway (to be maintained and filled by themselves) should read the grit bin licence application page.
Local organisations can fund a grit bin for £925. This covers installation, repair, maintenance, insurance, administration and one fill a year, for four years. To apply for a privately funded bin, local organisations should use this grit bin application form (PDF).
New bins will be installed at a safe location on the highway and filled ahead of the next winter season.
Files available to download
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Application for privately funded grit bin (PDF)
This application form is for Parish Councils, Town Councils, neighbourhood groups or similar organisations wishing to privately fund a grit bin in their area.