The importance of grit bins was highlighted last weekend across the High Peak as the wintry weather made an early appearance. 

In many areas, the bins are provided by Derbyshire County Council with the local parish councils then taking on the responsibility of maintaining them and seeing that they are refilled. 

But in areas of Glossop, Hadfield and Buxton that don’t have parish councils, there is no one to take on responsibility - causing issues for residents who live on steep roads. 

Now High Peak MP Robert Largan is calling on DCC and High Peak Borough Council to resolve the issue. 

Councillor Anthony McKeown, Leader of High Peak Borough Council, said: “Derbyshire County Council as the Highways Authority has a legal responsibility to provide a winter maintenance service for roads and footpaths maintainable at public expense. 

“In 2015, a High Peak Borough Council member working group put forward a proposal to DCC that for unparished areas, where a need for such was established, HPBC would purchase grit bins as long as DCC would take on responsibility for filling them.  

“Unfortunately to date this proposal has not been accepted nor any alternative arrangements put forward by DCC. 

“We are happy to work with colleagues at DCC to try and identify a resolution that is sustainable to both parties, where DCC wishes to delegate its responsibilities to other organisations.”   

A sheet of ice on the road on Vale House Drive in Hadfield - one area which doesn't have a parish council

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We own and maintain more than 800 grit bins across the county but we're unable to provide additional grit bins in new locations.  

“A further 1,250 bins are in the ownership of town or parish councils which may consider providing a new grit bin where it would provide specific benefits for their local residents.   

“We will talk to High Peak Borough Council to see if we can find a way to work together to provide new grit bins in the areas in Buxton and Glossop without a town or parish council.” 

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