Lindley Councillor, Cahal Burke has successfully negotiated funding for three additional grit bins for the Lindley area with Huddersfield Area Committee.
The new bins at Fernlea Road (Lindley), Ridge View Drive (Birkby) and Belton Grove (Birchencliffe) are now in place and ready for the next cold snap.
Councillor Burke took up the matter on behalf of residents who were without a grit bin near to their homes.
Cllr Cahal Burke says:
“I was approached by local residents to look at the possibility of extra grit bins in a few areas and I am pleased to say that the Huddersfield Area Committee has agreed to fund the three additional bins which are now in position on Fernlea Road, Ridge View Drive and Belton Grove.
The grit is there for all residents to use on the public highway and pavements. And I urge people to use the grit considerately and to stick to applying it in these areas only. That way the grit will last and there will be enough there to do the job when it is needed.
The two bins for Fernlea Road (Lindley), Ridge View Drive (Birkby) will cost £1,300 each over 5 years. The third bin on Belton Grove (Birchencliffe) has been funded for 3 years at a cost of £900. The costs will cover the purchase, installation, future maintenance and the cost of filling and refilling of the grit bins over the agreed period. Once this period is complete, additional funding will need to be sought to continue maintenance of these grit bins.
Kirklees Council are also on hand to help “self-help groups” :-
Self Help Groups
If there is a vulnerable person/ location (could be a faith centre, old folks home, health centre) and there is a person / small group willing to grit the footpaths nearby they can put themselves forward via their local councillor to set up / lead a “Self Help Group”.
Officers then meet the “Group Leader” to establish and agree the area they want to take responsibility for treating and to carry out a risk assessment before the council and Group Leader agree to go forward.
The Group Leader then rings the Council when there is snow and Rangers deliver an agreed amount of salt to an agreed location. The Group Leader then calls in their Self-Help Group Members and the volunteers undertake the gritting.
The grit is for footpaths not the road as gritting a public road by hand needs professional training.