Dudley Council has performed a dramatic U-turn on its controversial winter gritting policy, abandoning a plan to refill roadside grit bins only once a year. The reversal comes after a fierce public backlash during the recent cold snap and Storm Goretti, which highlighted the dangers of depleted salt supplies.
Policy reversal and immediate action
The council's cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, Councillor Simon Phipps, has ordered highways teams to refill empty grit bins as necessary while a full review of the winter service is conducted. This directly countermands the previous policy, introduced as a cost-saving measure, which limited refills to a single annual visit.
"I have also ordered that empty grit bins currently on the road network are refilled as necessary, rather than once a year as was previously the case," stated Cllr Phipps. He emphasised that no final decisions have been made on whether to reinstate the hundreds of bins already removed, but that the review aims to make the service "efficiently meet the needs of as many people as possible."
Background of cuts and community risk
The contentious policy originated from a winter maintenance review ordered in 2024 to save money. Key decisions included:
- Cancelling requests for new grit bins.
- Ceasing annual refills while trialling 'alternative methods'.
- Removing bins deemed unused or located on main gritting routes.
A subsequent order in September 2025 confirmed the removal of approximately 270 bins that had been full for three years and a review of 200 more. The council had hoped to save around £60,000 from its annual winter maintenance budget of £676,000.
However, the severe weather in January 2026 exposed the policy's flaws. Residents reported unsafe roads and pavements, with many slipping on ice. Council leader Cllr Patrick Harley acknowledged in early January that bins "being missed because of the cold snap" would be re-established.
Political pressure and calls for further action
The Conservative-led administration now faces increased pressure from the Labour opposition, which is demanding the reinstatement of removed bins "where there is a clear community need." The Labour group has submitted a motion and called for an extraordinary council meeting ahead of the scheduled session on January 29 to force a vote on the issue.
Councillor Shaukat Ali, deputy leader of the Labour group, criticised the administration, stating: "During the recent spell of adverse weather, people were slipping, roads were unsafe, and communities were being put at risk. The Conservative administration must put right its wrong and restore grit bins."
While the immediate refill order addresses the most pressing safety concerns, the long-term future of Dudley's grit bin network remains uncertain pending the outcome of the council's comprehensive review.
