Grit bins will be provided on non-priority 1 routes where there are:
- difficult bends
- inclines
- junctions and turning areas which are particularly prone to icing and where they have been in place for a number of years (historic reasons)
On the conditions that:
- Local residents agree on a suitable location within the road boundary
- There is confidence that the grit bin will be properly used
- A special need has been recognised (eg sheltered complex, crossing patrols, steps,
underpasses etc)
On priority 1 carriageway gritting routes, grit bins may occasionally be provided for use on footways where appropriate. However, as the majority of the footways on the priority 1 carriageway routes are adequately covered under other areas of the Winter Service Plan, this will be rare.
Grit bins will not be provided on un-adopted roads, whether privately maintained or prospectively adoptable. Housing Developers are required as a condition of their Construction Consent to meet these requirements.
Roads Services currently supply in excess of 920 grit bins for salt/grit storage for use on the adopted public road and footway network. The large number of bins reflects the Council's desire to encourage self help at locations where minor roads and lesser important routes have a lower priority response for mechanical treatment.
Salt or a mixture of salt and grit is provided solely for use on the adopted public road network and not on private areas, for example driveways etc. Individuals misusing salt should be directed to DIY stores and Builders Merchants to purchase salt for private use.
We operate a strategy of leaving grit bins in place all year round. This practice is both cost effective and land efficient.
Community grit bins
There are several communities in the Falkirk Council area where gradient and geometric difficulty is not a factor. At such locations (eg Grangemouth) it is preferred to locate Community grit bins at strategic locations, agreed with Community or Resident's groups. A community grit bin may be provided for each area approximating up to 4 community grit bins per 1 sq kilometre.
Removal of grit bins
Grit bins will be removed from their given location:
- Where there is proof of misuse of the salt
- Where residents cannot agree a location or need
- Where bins suffer continued vandalism (minimum 2 separate occasions)
- Where there are concerns, over the summer months, that the grit bin has an extreme effect on local amenity the grit bin may be temporarily removed at the discretion of the Roads Manager
The provision of a new grit bin (or relocation of an existing grit bin) should be agreed through consultation with residents prior to installation, particularly those directly affected. If a suitable location, which addresses the geometric requirements, cannot be agreed then a grit bin may not be provided.
Servicing of grit bins
Grit bins will only be placed where they can be easily serviced.
Grit bins will be refilled as soon as possible after a period of extreme weather. Given the large number of bins, there is a considerable resource implication to replenish salt/grit and this task will only be undertaken when carriageway and footway treatments have been scaled down sufficiently to release labour and plant for grit bin duties. Priority will be given to the higher altitude locations.
Each grit bin has been assigned a unique reference and has an email address and phone number located on it. Should you have an enquiry regarding grit bins or wish to let us know a bin is empty you can contact the Roads Service:
Salt heaps
As an alternative to grit bins, salt/grip heaps may be provided, particularly in rural areas. For environmental reasons, salt or grit heaps should be replaced with bins or other forms of containment as soon as practical.