Fury over lack of grit bins

Castleton Councillor Pat Flynn has voiced her concerns about the lack of grit bins being supplied in Rochdale.

It was agreed at a Cabinet meeting in January that each ward within the borough of Rochdale would have three new grit bins. However, this figure has now been sliced to just one new grit bin per ward.

Councillor Flynn said: “We were promised three new grit bins in each ward now we have been told this will go down to one because they can not be maintained.”

Councillor Flynn’s concerns come at a time when more snow, ice and freezing temperatures are expected.

The disgruntled Councillor called the lack of bins “totally unsatisfactory.”

She compared the reduced number to a Feel Creative Arts Festival which is to have £20,000 funding.

“If you ask anyone on the street if they want a 20,000 arts festival or more grit bins they will want more grit bins,” said Councillor Flynn.

“Everybody is asking us ‘can we have a grit bin.’

“I just don’t think the Council understands.

“To have one new bin per year just won’t work. We might not need a new one next year or the year after but we need them all now.

“People on hilly parts are really struggling.”

Rochdale Online understands that 20 new additional salt bins – one per ward - are in stock and will be distributed in the borough this month.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The comprehensive review of the winter maintenance service superseded what was agreed in the cabinet meeting last January. The purchase of new salt bins was put on hold until the new policy was implemented. We are now implementing the new policy, which is 20 new salt bins per year, for the next three years.”