Campaigners in the Black Country are demanding a local authority reverses a controversial decision to remove hundreds of grit bins from streets, labelling the policy as 'foolish' and a potential safety hazard.
Council Defends Cost-Saving Review
Dudley Council is currently in the process of removing around 500 grit bins from locations across the borough. The move follows a targeted review of sites conducted in May 2025, aimed at using resources more efficiently.
Councillor Simon Phipps, the cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, stated the review found the public were not using nearly a quarter of residential grit bins. He argued that removing these allows the council to focus resources where they are most beneficial.
'We have never gritted residential footpaths, we have always prioritised the main road network,' said Cllr Phipps. He added that revised gritting routes and new equipment would provide better coverage to narrow streets, saving residents from having to grit roads themselves.
Campaigners Warn of Icy Peril on Steep Streets
However, the removal has sparked significant opposition from residents and local politicians, particularly concerning bins on steep gradients. They argue that unpredictable winter weather makes the bins a vital community resource for preventing slips and falls.
Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Tromans has been a vocal critic, stating: 'This once again speaks to Dudley's ruling Tory group knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.'
He urged the council to listen to residents and reinstate bins where needed, emphasising that 'who knows when we may need grit bins to make roads on a steep gradient safe to use.'
Petition Launched as Bins Debated
Cllr Tromans, along with campaigners Lois Bramall and David Sheppard, has been highlighting specific locations where bins have been taken, such as Wolverley Avenue in Wollaston. Residents there were reportedly shocked to find two bins removed without consultation.
A petition calling for the reversal of the 'foolish' decision has been launched on the Dudley, Stourbridge and Halesowen Liberal Democrats website. It condemns the timing of the removals at the start of winter.
The issue was debated at December's full council meeting, where borough leader Cllr Patrick Harley defended the policy. He pointed to examples where bins had not been refilled in five years as evidence of wasted money. 'Talk about wasting money, that is just pouring money down the drain if we continue to keep them in situ,' he said.
Despite the removals, the council confirms that more than 700 grit bins remain in operation across the network, and its gritting fleet will continue to serve the main road system.
