PEOPLE living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could be able to collect their own allocations of grit under plans being considered by the leader of BCP Council.

Inspired by a scheme brought in by a London authority, residents and businesses could be given the opportunity to collect supplies to salt roads and pavements outside their properties.

Speaking at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, councillor Vikki Slade said the move could save the council money and increase community engagement.

“One of the proposals I have asked [council officers] to look at is work they are doing in Sutton where people can go and collect their own allocation of grit,” Cllr Slade said during discussions on highways maintenance preparation.

“What it’s done is completely transform customer satisfaction and reduce demand on the council.

“Not having to grit certain roads and deal with individual requests saved them a considerable amount of money and increased community engagement.”

For several years, individual households or businesses in the Sutton Council area can collect up to 10kg of free grit to use on pavements and roads outside their property.

Five collection points are set up across its area while supplies are also delivered to people who have assistance in the collection of their bins.

Last year, Sutton Council handed out more than 1,000 bags of grit, totalling 11 tonnes in weight, to residents and businesses in its area.

In the coming days, Cllr Slade is due to meet its leader, fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Ruth Dombey, with talks including the impact changes to its gritting processes have had.

Following Wednesday's discussion on preparation for road maintenance this winter, cabinet members gave the go-ahead for a review to be carried out in April looking at long-term plans for the service.

A report said “only minor amendments” were being made this year to the priorities the now-abolished borough councils adopted.

But it added that these would be examined as part of a wider review of the council's highways maintenance work.