A decision by Dudley Council to remove hundreds of public grit bins has erupted into a major political row as plunging temperatures and icy roads grip the borough.
Council Pledges Review Amid Public Backlash
The Conservative-run authority had planned to remove around 500 grit bins from streets across Dudley as part of a winter maintenance review designed to save £60,000. However, the move has been labelled an "unmitigated disaster" by critics as the region endures a severe cold snap in early January 2026.
Council leader, Conservative Cllr Patrick Harley, has now pledged to revisit the decisions. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that bins "missed" due to the cold weather would be re-established. "If we need to put some back clearly we will," he said, while also stating it was "pointless to reinstate bins that are never used."
Residents and Councillors Voice Safety Fears
The backlash has been fierce on social media and from councillors across the political spectrum. Labour's Cllr Shaukat Ali reported being inundated with complaints from residents, particularly those living on steep hills where ice poses a significant risk. He highlighted that DIY shops in Dudley were selling out of grit, leaving many unable to source it privately.
"Not every resident can afford to buy bags of grit, and even if they could, it is now increasingly unavailable," Cllr Ali said. "Resident safety should never be compromised in this way."
On Facebook, Labour group leader Cllr Adam Aston condemned the removals, while Reform UK's Cllr Shaun Keasey called for the bins to be returned. Even Conservative councillor Adam Davies revealed he was urging highways chiefs to reconsider removals where a clear safety case existed.
Political Finger-Pointing Over Budget Vote
The controversy has ignited political recriminations. The Liberal Democrats, who started a petition before Christmas calling for a rethink, have been attacked for having voted in favour of the budget that contained the review.
Dudley councillor and Labour MP for Stourbridge, Cllr Cat Eccles, noted: "It's fascinating to now see some other councillors who voted for these measures campaigning to reinstate them."
In response, Lib Dem leader Cllr Ryan Priest claimed the budget proposal lacked detail and argued the cuts had been "over-zealous." He called for ward councillors to be consulted on future removals and suggested reinstating the snow warden scheme. Cllr Harley dismissed the Lib Dem complaints, stating: "The Lib Dems actually voted for it so we will take no lectures from them."
The practical consequences of the missing bins were felt immediately. Council waste collections in the first days of 2026 had to be postponed due to icy roads, further fuelling residents' frustration. One resident, Pritata Wilson, told the council on Facebook that if bins had been left in place, people could have gritted minor roads themselves, preventing rubbish from piling up.
Another, Lauren Cotterill, described finding her local grit bin replaced with a single, inadequate bag of grit while trying to make safe a road near a nursery. "It was only enough to do about five meters of the road," she said.
