This salt (grit) bin has been installed at Cedars Park, Stowmarket following a request from a group of local residents.
Stowmarket Town Council works with Suffolk County Council (Suffolk Highways) to help keep people safe during icy and snowy weather by providing grit bins at key locations around the town.
What grit bins are for
Grit bins are placed where ice is most likely to cause danger, such as the bottom of hills, junctions on minor roads and busy footpaths not on Suffolk’s main gritting routes. The grit is for public use on pavements, footpaths and public roads only and must not be used on private driveways, car parks or private land.
Who is responsible
Stowmarket Town Council pays for and provides the grit bins, deals with requests for new bins and keeps a list of local volunteers. Suffolk County Council decides where grit bins can be placed, fills and refills the bins with salt and carries out winter gritting on roads and pavements.
When bins are filled
Suffolk County Council fills grit bins at the start of the winter season (usually mid-October) and during the winter when required. Refilling is normally done during routine highway visits, so it may take up to two weeks after a bin is reported empty.
Report an empty or damaged grit bin
If a grit bin is empty, damaged or missing, please report it directly to Suffolk Highways using their online reporting system.
Requesting a new grit bin
To make sure grit bins are placed fairly and in the locations where they are most needed, new bins are only installed where Suffolk County Council’s safety criteria are met. Please contact Stowmarket Town Council with the location, and the name of a local person willing to help spread grit.
Volunteers
Suffolk County Council can provide insurance cover for people who volunteer to spread grit or clear snow on public pavements and roads, as long as they are registered through Stowmarket Town Council.
Which roads are gritted
Suffolk Highways grits main roads and priority routes across Suffolk. Some residential roads and footpaths are not included, which is why grit bins are provided in key locations.
For more information please contact Emma Rogers, Community Operations Lead on 01449 612060 or email emmar@stowmarket.org.