Residents across Aberdeen can now apply for a free one-tonne community salt bag to treat icy roads and pavements in their neighbourhood during the winter months.
The applications have been opened earlier than normal this year and, although it has been an unusually warm September, winter is fast coming and the deadline for applying for the one-tonne community salt bags is 31 October, 2023.
The scheme is designed to help communities help themselves when winter starts and in addition, there will again be big community salt bins in strategic locations around the city.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: "There has been a lovely late warm spell of weather this year but winter will be fast upon us. As always, the Council’s gritting teams will be working hard to treat roads and pavements, often under challenging conditions. On icy days, almost half of Aberdeen’s roads and the city’s busiest pavements on Union Street are treated before 7.30am.
“Unfortunately, though, Council staff can't be everywhere all the time - there are 620 miles of roads in Aberdeen, slightly more than the distance from the city to Paris, and there are 1,242 miles of pavements which is the distance from here to Rome. That’s why local yellow grit bins and the one tonne community salt bag scheme are so important – they enable local communities to help themselves.”
The one-tonne community salt bags, like the salt provided in grit bins, will be for use only on public areas. A secure and accessible area, like a driveway, would have to be available for storing the one-tonne community salt bags.
Any residents or groups which would like a one-tonne bag should apply via One-tonne salt bags | Aberdeen City Council before 31 October. The community salt bags are delivered free of charge, are replaced as necessary, and are removed at the end of winter.
The locations for the big community salt bins are Bridge of Don (Laurel Drive), Garthdee (Asda car park – next to recycling facilities), Torry (Girdleness Road), Union Row, Crown Terrace (next to bins), Justice Street (next to recycling bins), Seaton Drive (car park on entry to Seaton Walk), Regent Court (car park), Northfield (Byron Square), Hilton (at the top of Anderson Road, next to Stewart Park), Rosemount (Leadside Road), Kingswells Park & Ride (next to recycling point and bins), Craibstone Park & Ride (west car park), Bridge of Don Park & Ride (next to recycling point and bins), Countesswells Road, Dyce (Asda car park-next to recycling facilities), Fernhill Drive (near Fernhill Road), Johnston Gardens North (at turning area), Tillydrone (Pennan Road beside the library).
More information about gritting routes and winter maintenance from Aberdeen City Council is available from www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/winter