All you need to know about grit bins
The winter months bring uncertain weather across the UK – from welcome December sunshine to torrential rain and bone-chilling days of snow and ice. One of the trickiest challenges that local authorities face during the colder months is keeping roads safe for vehicles, and pavements safe for pedestrians.
This is where grit comes in. Not only do roads need gritting, but it’s also important to have grit bins strategically placed along walkways with high footfall or sites where pedestrians are more likely to slip and fall. Grit bins are also often placed along roadways that gritting lorries can’t access.
How does grit work?
Frost and ice form when water freezes, so wet paths and roads with surface water are particularly dangerous in extremely low temperatures. Grit works by mixing with the surface moisture to create a saline solution which freezes at a lower temperature than water. This reduces or ‘melts’ ice on the surface of the road or walkway, even when temperatures fall below freezing.
Grit bins contain a combination of salt and grit to lower the freezing point. This varies for saline solutions depending on the amount of salt in the mix, but freezing point is generally between O°C and -6°C/-8°C.
Local authorities have been stockpiling supplies of salt for months ready for the winter season. It’s a difficult task as even with advances in meteorological technology, the weather in the UK can be unpredictable and local authorities are sometimes criticised for not being prepared when temperatures suddenly drop. However, as manufacturers and suppliers of grit bins, we understand how difficult it can be to get gritting right.
What you need to know about grit bins
Location is one of the most important factors to get right, ensuring that bins are in suitable places such as the site of junction hazards or on public pathways often used by the elderly, people with mobility issues or children. Some local authorities also provide maps to show the location of their grit bins.
Anyone can buy a grit bin, but they are more usually bought by councils to be located in public spaces. Members of the public can use grit from a bin as long as it is being used for a nearby public pavement or road. It is not permitted to use grit from council-owned bins on private property such as driveways and garden paths.
The secret to successful gritting
If possible, grit should be laid down before the temperature gets too low. However, if gritting takes place too early onto a dry surface, most of the salt will be blown away by vehicles. Ideally, the grit should be distributed on a damp surface so it can stick. If snow has already fallen, it can be scraped away to break up the ice prior to gritting. Unsurprisingly, if the snow or ice is very thick, more grit will be needed and the quicker it will work. Grit also works more efficiently if vehicles drive over it after it has been spread as this helps to distribute the salt more evenly across the road surface, preventing dangerous patches of ice.
Grit bins for pavements and highways
Amberol’s range of grit bins and boxes come in three different sizes, making them suitable for a variety of public locations including schools and shopping centres as well as footpaths and roadside verges. Our standard bins are bright yellow to enhance visibility, but other colours are available. Being made from recyclable polyethylene, they also have great environmental credentials;
400L Grit Bin (400kg of grit or salt)
250L Grit Bin (250kg of grit or salt)
200L Grit Bin (200kg of grit or salt)
To find out more about how Amberol can help with your gritting needs, call 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk.
