Give us more grit bins plea

People in Dereham have asked for lots more grit bins to be placed around the town after the problems caused by snow and ice this winter.But the town council's heritage and open spaces committee believes that not all 18 requests are appropriate or practical.

People in Dereham have asked for lots more grit bins to be placed around the town after the problems caused by snow and ice this winter.

But the town council's heritage and open spaces committee believes that not all 18 requests are appropriate or practical.

It costs the council �150 to buy a grit bin, which Norfolk County Council will fill with grit as and when it is needed.

But concerns were raised at a committee meeting about where they could go so they did not obstruct footpaths; who would notify the authorities that they needed refilling; who would use them; and problems of people putting unwanted items in the bins.

Other issues raised included people stealing grit or using it for their own paths or driveways instead of public paths and roads.

Chairman Phillip Duigan proposed, and it was agreed, that a group from the town council and highways authority should meet to assess all the potential sites put forward for bins.

Robert Hambidge asked whether the bins were needed since, although there had been two bad winters, eight before that were not. He suggested that hippo bags should be dropped off at suitable locations when they were needed instead of installing permanent bins.

Linda Turner said vulnerable groups, such as sheltered communities, should be given priority.