Grit will be distributed free of charge to fill the county’s yellow bins this winter.

There was concern in rural areas that the cost of filling grit bins was adding to growing pressure on community and town councils.

Cllr Catrin Wager, Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal, said: “It is important that we listen to our community voices that have expressed concerns, and I am pleased to report that we are able to bring about bold changes that will see Gwynedd Council fill the salt bins free of charge to try and minimise the effects of adverse weather conditions in rural areas.”

Cllr Elwyn Edwards, who represents Llandderfel near Bala, said: “We are grateful to Cllr Catrin Wager for discussing, researching and working positively with us in the county’s rural wards, to ensure that grit bins located at roadsides will be filled free of charge by the county council this year.

“The obstacles facing rural communities when the weather turns can cause problems for frontline workers trying to travel to work, to lorries accessing dairy farms to collect milk and to local people generally trying to move around along country lanes that have not received any grit.

“If we, as a council, can try to alleviate some of this burden, then we go the extra mile to support our communities.

“The safety of our residents and staff is paramount.”

In Llandderfel Ward, grit bins installed along the country lanes are vitally important.

Winters can be very harsh and ice and snow cause difficulties when travelling along these country lanes.

Colin Jones of Wyau Cae Pant an egg production business in Llandderfel, believes the free grit will go a long way to helping his business.

He said: “Winter can be difficult when trying to distribute eggs and getting lorry feeds into the farmyard, due to the adverse weather conditions and our location. Our farm gate is at the top of a steep hill after travelling out of Llandderfel village.

“Therefore, the terrain is high and the hill is extremely slippery when the winter weather bites.

“To hear that the grit bins will be filled in our locality by the council, free of charge, is very good news.

“I am grateful to Cllr Elwyn Edwards for raising the issue and highlighting the problem to Gwynedd officials.”