Dudley Council is under scrutiny following the removal of approximately 500 grit bins, which has sparked public outrage during recent cold weather. The decision, part of the council’s budget for 2025/26, was approved by the ruling minority Conservative group with the support of the Liberal Democrats. Many residents found themselves without essential winter maintenance resources, prompting a petition that gathered around 1,000 signatures demanding a review of the situation.
In response to the backlash, a new review of the council’s winter maintenance program has been announced. Speaking ahead of an extraordinary council meeting on January 29, 2024, triggered by a Labour motion to reinstate the grit bins, Liberal Democrat Leader Clr Ryan Priest acknowledged the missteps, stating, “The budget was passed believing what we were doing was making the service more efficient… what came out of that is a service that for most people in the borough did not exist.”
Clr Priest criticized the council’s changes as “over-zealous,” emphasizing the need for a reassessment of the winter maintenance strategy. He indicated that while the council cannot change past decisions, it can work towards improving the current service.
Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Tromans added, “In the budget, it didn’t say we are going to remove 500 grit bins; it said we would review them and wouldn’t take them away if they were more than 25 meters from a main gritting route. That didn’t happen.” He highlighted the importance of focusing on solutions, noting that the details surrounding the budget cuts were crucial.
During the council meeting, the Liberal Democrats presented Cllr Patrick Harley, the leader of Dudley Council, with a grit bin filled with leaflets advocating for the return of the grit bins. Cllr Harley acknowledged the oversight, stating, “Sometimes the smallest savings cause you the biggest headaches. This was a £60,000 saving; it caused us huge headaches, so first of all, you have to put your hands up and apologize about that.”
Cllr Harley assured that the forthcoming review would address the issue of grit bins that were removed unnecessarily. He stated that while bins that have not been used for three or four years would not be reinstated, others that were taken away could potentially be returned or even replaced with additional bins in new locations. He also mentioned the possibility of using more modern machinery and equipment to enhance winter maintenance efforts.
During the debate, Cllr Adam Aston, leader of the Labour Party in Dudley, criticized the council’s actions, stating, “The politics of removing grit bins took away the ability of the community to look after themselves and keep roads clear that the council doesn’t have the capacity to treat.”
The ongoing discussions reflect a growing awareness of community needs during winter months, highlighting the importance of effective local governance in addressing public concerns. As the council prepares for its review, residents will be watching closely to see how their feedback is integrated into future plans for winter maintenance.
