Gwynedd Council is to stop providing communities with grit salt bins as it tries to make savings.

As part of cost-cutting measures, the county council plans to stop maintaining grit salt bins across the county from April and is instead asking community councils to take the reins.

The bins, which allow residents to grit their driveways and smaller roads where gritting lorries can’t reach, are essential to keeping small rural lanes free from hazardous ice and snow.

Gwynedd councillor Beth Lawton represents Bryncrug and Abergynolwyn and recognises that loss of the bins could prove “difficult” for some residents.

However, she believes that the loss of the bins is indicative of the level of cuts that Gwynedd Council will be forced to make.

“I feel that Gwynedd Council have no option but to look at all non statutory items that have previously been provided but whilst the salt bin issue may cause difficulty for some residents I am sure that between individual residents and the community council a solution can be found,” she told the Cambrian News.

“There are other services facing cuts that will affect far more of Gwynedd’s residents than this one matter.

Cllr Lawton said: “To be honest the range of cuts across the board is really concerning.”

Speaking about salt bins, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Gwynedd Council has notified all town and community councils of its intention for them to pay for the provision and replenishment of salt bins from next winter onwards."