True grit shown by Fife’s communities has forced the council to reinstate missing grit bins.
There has been widespread condemnation of the local authority’s purge on the winter essentials.
It appears the council is listening to those communities which are putting up a valid argument for keeping their bins.
Following a review, bins were being cut back to “a more sustainable level” given the limited resources at the council’s disposal.
Bins were starting to be uplifted from priority gritting routes, from places where there were a lot of bins serving a small area, and in particular in parts of the kingdom where the council has seen a low demand.
Despite the council saying it would have discussions with worried residents who presented a particular case for keeping a bin, the scheme has come in from heavy criticism from Fifers and politicians.
In the Shaw Street area of Dunfermline, where locals presented a petition, the grit bin is making a comeback.
Roads and transportation service manager Bill Liddle said: “The grit bin is being returned to Shaw Street this week as a result of a request we received from a resident and was approved prior to receiving this petition.
“There are a number of grit bins being returned across Fife, as we said we would be doing if residents raised their concerns with us and were deemed to have a valid case.”
Local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, who helped highlight the Shaw Street concerns, welcomed the move.
“After clear local opposition to the removal of the grit bin on Shaw Street, I’m pleased that Fife Council has now reconsidered its decision,” said the SNP politician.
“It will be welcome news to residents that this bin will be reinstated within the next two weeks.
“I’m also pleased to note that the council will be reinstating a number of other grit bins in Dunfermline and west Fife, following similar concerns being raised about the impact on safety and accessibility which their removal could have during winter conditions.
“Going forward, it is essential that the views of residents are taken into consideration in the decision making process when determining the placement of grit bins.”
