Councillors to vote on new rules for grit bins (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Some bins could be relocated if new policy is adopted

11:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter

A new policy has been drawn up by Bradford Council which could lead to some of the authority’s 600 grit bins being relocated this winter.

Around 200 already fail to comply with current guidelines – many because their locations were inherited from the former urban district councils and county council.

The new criteria would give clearer guidance and it is expected a smaller number of bins would fall outside policy.

A key Council committee will decide on Thursday whether to endorse the new criteria and, if they do, whether they would wish to relocate any grit bins not complying with the new rules.

The new criteria, if adopted, would mean grit bins would not be provided in the following locations:

• where passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs or pushchairs will be significantly impeded
• where the location is within 250 metres of another bin
• where sight lines would be obstructed
• on unadopted roads
• where the theft of salt or vandalism or use on private premises and drives is a regular occurrence.

Bins would only be provided in locations where there is full access for a lorry to unload salt directly into the bin.

It would still be possible to locate bins on a routine gritting route, providing the primary use is on steep footways in well-used areas. On roads that are not routinely treated, priority will be given to particularly steep gradients, severe bends and dangerous junctions.

Keith Escritt, the Council’s principal highways engineer, states in a report to the committee: “There were a number of grit bins that, while not complying with the existing criteria, were providing an important facility for maintaining the network free of ice and snow.

“Following discussion, officers were asked to produce a proposed set of criteria that would allow grit bin provision where needed, but would not lead to unfettered provision.”

The regeneration and economy overview and scrutiny committee meets at City Hall, Bradford, on Thursday, at 5.30pm. Any recommendations will be passed on to the Council’s executive for a decision to be made.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk