Grit bins – it pays to be prepared!

While the news over the past month has been full of stories of flooding and an unseasonably warm festive season, we all know how quickly the British weather can change. As we enter the cold, dark months of January and February, transport planners in councils and highways departments across the UK are preparing for a whole range of weather conditions. If temperatures drop suddenly (as they often do), this means gritting.

Local authorities are often accused of being ill-equipped for adverse weather. However, in our experience, most councils make plans and stockpile rock salt for months in advance. So what are the challenges involved in gritting and how can local authorities ensure they get it right?

Timing – this is a tricky problem. If gritting too early onto a dry surface, most of the salt will be blown away by vehicles. If left too late, the surface will already be frozen. Ideally, the grit should be distributed on a damp surface so it can stick, which is easier said than done.

Accessibility - ensure that motorists have access to grit should conditions suddenly change by placing grit bins at key roadside locations, particularly in places where problems are likely, such as hilly areas.

Safety first - it’s not just motorists who need access to grit bins. Slippery paths and walkways can be very dangerous for pedestrians. In fact, any area that is in frequent use by the public is an ideal location for a grit bin so that surfaces can be made safe quickly and easily.

Amberol supply a range of grit bins and boxes in three different sizes, making them suitable for a variety of locations - from schools to shopping centres and footpaths to roadside verges. Available in bright yellow to enhance visibility, our grit bins are robust and easy to spot wherever they may be. And of course, they have great environmental credentials as they are made from recyclable polyethylene.

Click here to view Amberol’s grit bins.