Salt bins - popular questions
This page has been populated with frequently
asked questions and answers about salt bins.
We hope we're able to answer your question
here, but if you need more help please call us on 0845 121 2979 or
email winter.service@rochdale.gov.uk.
Salt bins - report misappropriate usage in confidence
We have had reports of suspected misappropriate usage of salt
bins, including reports of large amounts of salt being bagged up
and taken away.
The salt in the salt bins is for use on public roads and
pedestrian areas / footways only. The salt must not be used to
grit private properties.
How can I ask for a salt bin to be filled up?
We fill all highways salt bins at the start of
the winter season. We then monitor the amount of salt in the salt
bins and fill them up on a weekly basis during periods of high
demand. However, if you are aware of a salt bin that has not been
filled up this winter season please call us on 0845 121 2979 or
email winter.service@rochdale.gov.uk
with your details and the exact location of the bin that needs
filling up.
If we need to preserve salt stocks we may have
to reduce the frequency of when salt bins are refilled.
We regularly monitor the salt levels in the
salt bins according to weather conditions. If we discover salt
levels decreasing beyond what the demand should be, there may be
misappropriate use of the salt. If our investigations prove there's
been misappropriate use we may remove the salt bin permanently.
How many salt bins are there in the borough?
There are over 400 highways salt bins
distributed at key locations throughout the borough for use on
public roads and pedestrian areas and footways only.
Over the next two years we plan to increase
the number of highways salt bins in the borough to around 440. Once
we've hit this figure we don't intend to place any more salt bins.
Instead, we will relocate some of the existing salt bins to more
appropriate locations so the highest priority locations throughout
the borough are provided with salt bins.
How can I request a salt bin?
The allocation of new salt bins for this winter season has been
decided so no new salt bins will be provided this winter season.
However, to request a salt bin for your area for consideration for
the next winter season please call us on 0845 121 2979 or email
winter.service@rochdale.gov.uk with
your details and where you'd like a new bin to be placed. Requests
will be assessed using our approved needs-based criteria and
will be decided by the townships and ward councillors.
The location of each new salt bin will be reviewed to ensure
access can be gained for restocking and the salt bin does not cause
an obstruction, create a hazard or would have security
issues. Unless placed for a specific reason, no salt bins will
be located on roads or pedestrian areas which are already on our
treatment routes or already have a salt bin.
You will not get an immediate decision following your request
for a salt bin. Also, any additional salt bins may not be
provided until the start of the next highways winter service
season. This is because each request for a bin
has to be reviewed against all the other requests and we have
to prioritise based on the needs of areas.
How do I report a damaged salt bin?
To report a damaged salt bin please call us on 0845
121 2979 or email winter.service@rochdale.gov.uk with
the exact location of the damaged bin.
Please be aware we only have provision to replace a limited
number of salt bins each year which means we may not be able to
replace a damaged bin immediately. If you witness any
vandalism to the salt bins please report this as identified
above.
Why does the council provide salt bins? Can't it do all the
gritting instead?
Because it is not possible for our gritters to spread salt on
every road and pavement in the borough, salt bins have been
provided at key locations throughout the borough to
allow residents, motorists and pedestrians to spread the salt
on the public highway and pedestrian areas.
Can I use the salt provided to grit my property?
No. The salt in the salt bins is for
use on public roads and pedestrian areas / footways only. The
salt must not be used to grit private
properties.
Salt for use on private property can be bought from builder's
merchants and DIY stores for personal use.
We regularly monitor the salt levels in the bins according to
weather conditions. If we discover salt levels decreasing beyond
what the demand should be, there may be misappropriate
usage of the salt, which may force us to remove the salt bin
permanently.
Can council salt be supplied directly to members of the
public?
Salt from council stocks will not be supplied to members of the
public. We often get asked if we can drop salt off for people or if
they can come and collect some from the depot, but we have to
preserve our stocks so we can maintain our critical road network,
heavy footfall pavement areas and have enough to fill the borough's
salt bins.
What type of salt is placed in the salt bins?
The rock salt in the salt bins is the same as the rock salt we
use to treat roads and pedestrian areas. This is because the
salt in the salt bins should be used on public roads and pedestrian
areas.
The salt is more effective if it is kept dry prior to being
spread, so salt bin lids should be kept closed when not in use. If
you see any salt bin lids which have been left open please close
them to preserve the quality of the salt.
There may be occasions where we have to restrict salt usage
though. In these circumstances we may mix the rock salt in
salt bins with grit sand or even use white salt with grit
sand. This helps us to preserve salt supplies but it
also has the added benefit that it can help make the surface
less slippery - especially if it is icy or hard packed snow.