To think the bloke who told me off for taking grit out of the grit bin should fuck off

[Birdbox181]

This morning, I had to get my elderly neighbour to a hospital appointment. She has bone cancer in both hips. Her drive way was very slippery this morning. A fall for her could be fatal. She's on crutches.

I drove to the nearest grit bin I could find, filled a bag for life, probably a quarter full and put it down on her front door step, drive way and the pavement outside her property.

As I was putting it into my bag a bloke stopped and reprimanded me, telling me it's not for private use. I explained the situation and but he wasn't interested.

What an absolute cock.

@Magnastorm

Christ alive it's not for use on private property and the bins are placed for use in particular locations as those will be where footfall is heaviest.
I haven't said they were for private property so I'm not sure what you are ranting that at me for

The grit bins near me are on a 50mph road where there are few houses far apart. The road isn't used much for pedestrians. So I'm not sure what your 'footfall is heaviest' point is all about either. The council have placed them a few miles apart for people to collect and use on pavements around their houses. Not around the bins. No one walks around the bins.

Where I live the council promote the public bins of grit and encourage residents to use the grit for pathways and pavements. I suspect it similar in your area and he just an ill-informed busy body.

This. I'm reading a very life affirming book just now called 'The subtle art of not giving a f*ck.'

I would apply to this situation. With a big spade. Well done you for helping a neighbour in need. Mr Grit Bin can sod right off. Rules can be bent in the name of doing the right thing.

What a cock...
its fucking GRIT.
People acting like you committed armed robbery need to get a life.

Yep.
You can tell who the collaborators would be in an occupied country.

I think he was right. The bins are fairly small and you took what sounds like quite a large proportion just to benefit one person.

But also- surely it would have been more efficient to grab some of her salt or cat litter to sprinkle on the path?

I’ve voted that YABU. Only because I’ve had to sort out top ups for our grit bins at work. I work for a housing association and although many of our grit bins appear to be on a public highway, they actually belong to us.

The customers who live in these properties pay a service charge for the upkeep and refilling of these grit bins. They would be fuming if they saw someone helping themselves.

Even if it is only for use on public roads etc, you were using it to make sure a vulnerable neighbour didn’t hurt themselves and using your common sense. Anyone who is going to criticise you in those circumstances is, imo, pretty unkind.
Honestly, what is the world coming too? 😔

The bins are usually strategically placed to cover the areas that are most difficult to use in icy conditions. I live at the bottom of a hill. We have a grit bin because we can't drive or walk up the hill when there's ice. Often people who don't live here fill their car boots up and take the grit away elsewhere so that we have none here and either end up stranded or having to buy our own.

this

My daughter has a steep driveway and called me one night to say that her car had slid down her drive into the road. I went to the nearest grit bin, filled a bucket, and gritted her drive. My boot was a mess where the bucket of grit had fallen over but that is not that relevant. What IS relevant is that it is all community safety. I know what I mean, anyway.

I wouldn’t give ithat random bloke a moment’s thought - you made a reasonable decision for the greater good - hope your neighbour is doing better soon

Bet he wouldn't have said that to another bloke

He sounds like a nasty twat

He is an arse and i hope he lands on his - they are provided only for use on public roads/footpaths, not on private paths drives - but he's still an arse and I would have enjoyed telling him so !!
Good on you 🤓

Sod him. Isn't this what we pay council tax for?🙄

Some people just like to be officious

This man needs to get a life !!

I admire your motivation for taking the grit but the gentleman that reprimanded you is right, it’s not for private use (by which I mean, for private property) grit bins are usually situated in problem areas that aren’t covered by the grit Lorry’s ie steep hills on residential streets etc etc. I have one on the corner of my road as the busses regularly get stuck there when the snow or ice settles on the road.

Well I think you're a good soul for helping your sick neighbour.
And Grit Bloke is a twat
Goodnight x

There are ways of explaining to people kindly without sounding authoritarian.

If you were a man he wouldn’t have stopped 🥱

Grit bins are located where there is a local need, often by a steep hill or sections of road prone to ice and accidents. To take the grit and use on a driveway is essentially stealing.

@Coffeecakebakes what would you have done then? The bin was full so would appear no desperate need for it at the spot where it was located

If I saw someone drive up and fill a bag I would’ve thought what a bloody cheek, but I wouldn’t have said anything.
There is only one grit bin where I live and it’s on a large hill, so intended for use on that hill I presume, not just for anybody to help themselves.

Buy some maybe?