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Grit bin sensors alerting crews when refills due

Clare LissamanWest Midlands
News imageCity of Wolverhampton Council A man with dark hair and a beard is kneeling beside a full grit bin which is yellow and full of brown rock salt. he is wearing a white shirt and black suit. Beside him a woman with blond hair, wearing a dark coat, is stood smiling at the camera. City of Wolverhampton Council
Councillor Jeszemma Howl (R), pictured with Councillor Qaiser Azeem, said the council was always looking for ways to use technology to improve services

Council crews are testing technology that notifies them when grit bins need refilling with rock salt.

City of Wolverhampton Council said the sensors were being tested at some locations to see if they could help "save time and money" by monitoring the bins' use. The local authority maintains more than 260 grit bins for residents' use.

Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for city transport, said it was in the early stages of testing, but would be a "useful tool in helping us monitor the use of grit bins in the city".

"By using the data provided by the sensors, we will be able to focus resources where they are most needed, helping to ensure the safety of residents," he said.

The authority said it had recently replenished grit bins across the city ready for the next cold snap.

People can make a request for a grit bin, or a refill online, it added.

The council said its gritting crews had meanwhile already covered more than 8,600 miles in Wolverhampton this winter, spreading 2,150 tonnes of rock salt.

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