Grit bins

We provide grit bins at selected locations around the county.

You can use the grit on the road, pavements and other public footways but not for treating private property. Misuse of the grit can lead to unnecessary shortages that can cause a danger to pedestrians and motorists.

If you require grit or salt for your own property, it can be brought from major builders' merchants or large garden centres.

Find your nearest grit bin

To find the location of bins in your area, please see our Surrey Winter Online map.

Report a grit bin problem

Report a damaged or missing grit bin

Report an empty grit bin

Please read our section below on filling grit bins, to find out how we may handle your report.

How we decide where to place grit bins

We provide grit bins for locations that are off the priority salting routes and would not normally receive immediate help during severe weather or snow. We prioritise locations that have:

  • difficult road junctions
  • slopes
  • acute bends
  • large numbers of pedestrians

The full criteria for providing grit bins will be published in our Highways Cold Weather Plan.

How to use the grit

Use a spade or shovel to spread the grit thinly and evenly across the road or pavement. A shovel full of grit will be sufficient to treat 20-30 square metres.

Filling grit bins

Our policy is to only fill each bin once a year, ahead of the winter season. This is to ensure that we can prioritise our funding and resources for other winter maintenance activities.

Requests for new grit bins

Please note: new grit bins can only be requested by local organisations.

Town or parish councils wishing to place their own bin on the highway (to be maintained and filled by themselves) should read the grit bin licence application page.

Local organisations can fund a grit bin for £925. This covers installation, repair, maintenance, insurance, administration and one fill a year, for four years. To apply for a privately funded bin, local organisations should use this grit bin application form (PDF).

New bins will be installed at a safe location on the highway and filled ahead of the next winter season.

Advice on clearing ice and snow from pavements and paths without fear of legal action

See the national government's advice on clearing ice and snow.


Files available to download

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