Grit boxes - roads only or driveways too? 28 December 2017 at 6:30PM in N. Ireland 5 replies 1.4K views

x12yhp

Hi Guys,

As per the title - is the grit in yellow, council provided, grit boxes intended for general use or is it supposed only to be for public roads which are not otherwise gritted?

I always understood that anyone could take some grit and use it on their driveway but someone, near our local box, is getting quite militant about this and has taken to defacing the box to clearly state that it cannot be used for private driveways.

Any idea of the facts here?

Ms_Chocaholic

Not your area but found this

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transport/staffshighways/winterdriving/salting/Grit-bins.aspx

redped

From https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ice-and-snow-roads-and-streets:

"On more lightly-trafficked roads, salt bins (grit boxes) or grit piles may be provided for use by the public on a self-help basis."

I read that as saying it's okay to use it on your own driveway to help get your car on to the road (i.e. don't use it to clear the patio at the back of your house). Like most things, it should be used in moderation - there's no point in everyone having cleared driveways if there's no grit left to actually clear the road.

Ticked

I put some roadside grit on a concrete path and it blew the concrete surface to shreds! Had to resurface, costly mistake.

Lizabeth21

redped wrote: »

......Like most things, it should be used in moderation - there's no point in everyone having cleared driveways if there's no grit left to actually clear the road.

And no point clear estate roads if can’t get off driveways.

Grits not expensive. We keep a bag and use it to clear drive and road frontage.

x12yhp

Thanks guys, looks like there isn't a clear statement that it should not be used for your driveway.

We somewhat imagine that people have grown up being told how the grit is to be used, by their parents and lord knows where that info has come from!