The Council salts a number of precautionary routes and, in cases of prolonged inclement weather a number of secondary routes.
The Council does not grit footpaths/footways. A number of shopping areas may be gritted in periods of prolonged inclement weather.
Salt bins and heaps are provided in areas where shops, location and nature of the carriageway justifies some salting taking place. They are provided for use by local residents.
Points 1, 2 and 3 are as a result of decisions taken by the Council when agreeing a Winter Maintenance Policy and is a balance between the practical difficulties of salting every piece of highway in North Lincolnshire and the cost that would be involved.
Salt bins and heaps will NOT be provided in locations that form part of the precautionary salting routes.
Salt bins are provided for the salting of the road NOT the footways in their vicinity.
A salt bin will NOT be provided at a site which meets the criteria, if there is an existing bin in close proximity.
Salt heaps may be provided instead of a salt bin in rural locations where:
- A number of salting facilities are required in close proximity to each other, e.g. a long, steep hill.
- These will be kept to a minimum to protect the environment.
- It is impractical to provide a bin, e.g. on a narrow verge.
A common request is for salt bins to be provided to salt footways adjacent to OAP dwellings. These are refused because:
- The Council does not salt footways
- To do so would mean that there would be an obligation to salt footways adjacent to any property inhabited by the elderly.
- Who would spread the salt and if this was not done whom would be liable if a claim is received.
The Council regularly receives claims from people that have had accidents due to icy roads and footways. Legal advice has been sought on Parish/Town Councils providing salt bins in locations they choose. Regretfully this is not supported as the ultimate liability, should anyone injure themselves due to the inconsistent/irregular/irresponsible use of salt, would rest with North Lincolnshire Council.
For more information please contact the council's Highway Operations team on 01724 296686 or 296687.