Complaints over cost-cutting removal of grit bins in Dudley
Dudley’s Labour group are calling for a U-turn on review which aims to remove 500 bins
Pressure is growing for Dudley Council’s leaders to U-turn on the cost-cutting removal of grit bins from streets around the borough.
Recent freezing conditions prompted a barrage of complaints from residents and community leaders that roads and pavements are in a dangerous state.
After a review of winter maintenance services, the council planned to remove around 500 bins and around 600 remaining bins would not be refilled mid-season.
Dudley’s Labour group has submitted an urgent motion to the council demanding removals are halted and bins are put back where there is a ‘clear community need’.
The group’s deputy leader, Cllr Shaukat Ali, said: “The extent of the problems experienced by residents across the borough makes it absolutely clear that swift action is needed.
“Given the risks to public safety, it is essential to press the Conservative-led council to reverse its short-sighted decision to remove grit bins – a decision the Labour group opposed from the outset.”
Dudley has eight gritting trucks and two four-by-fours to access smaller roads, the authority keeps 6,500 tonnes of salt in stock and more is available if required.
Gritters cover around 480 kilometres of road around the borough and prioritise bus routes, town centres, hospital main entrances to allow ambulance and maternity access, roads which pass the front main entrance of schools wherever access is possible.
Following the outcry during the early January freeze, Dudley Council’s leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, pledged a review of the bins which have been removed.
He said: “Ones that are being missed because of the cold snap; we will re-establish them.
“If we need to put some back – clearly we will, we will have a full review but it is pointless to reinstate bins that are never used.”
The move by Labour follows a raft of criticism on social media, including by Cllr Steve Edwards from the Black Country Party who, on Facebook, said: “It was obvious when the policy was passed that removing grit bins was a massive mistake and it is blatantly obvious now.
“Side streets have not been gritted and are dangerous. We are trying to get grit bins reinstated.”
The council carried out its review in May 2025 and says bins are being removed on gritting routes and locations close to gritting routes on a usage and risk basis’.